Aging Together // Unfiltered

Pooja A. Patel, DrOT, OTR/L, BCG, CDP

TL;DR: A podcast for adult children of aging parents and family caregivers who want honest, no-fluff conversations about aging, care, and caregiving. We talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change—without sugarcoating or euphemisms. Aging Together // Unfiltered explores the real challenges and hard decisions families face as they support aging loved ones. Hosted by Dr. Pooja A. Patel—a double-board certified occupational therapist and gerontologist, and longtime caregiver advocate—this show moves beyond “proper” conversations and into the realities families are navigating every day. After four seasons of carefully curated, polished discussions, this podcast is now intentionally unfiltered. Not for shock value, but because polite language hasn’t fixed broken systems—or made caregiving easier. Our elders and their families don’t need softer words. They need better care, clearer information, and honest conversations that lead to action. Each episode features clinicians, caregivers, innovators, and leaders who bring both professional expertise and lived experience. Together, we dive into aging in America—what’s working, what’s failing, and where families are being left to figure things out on their own. Topics include: Aging in place and long-term care optionsCare planning, transitions, and crisis momentsMental health, grief, and caregiver burnoutNavigating healthcare systems and resourcesAdvocacy, accountability, and better models of care This podcast is for the sandwich generation, long-distance caregivers, aging adults planning ahead, and professionals working in aging and care who want the truth—not platitudes. 👉 Follow Aging Together // Unfiltered if you’re navigating aging parents, caregiving decisions, or a healthcare system that wasn’t built with families in mind—and you’re ready for real conversations, not polite ones. 🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.  A production of Aging Together LLC.

  1. Aug 1

    The ER Wasn't Built for Seniors: What is Hospital-Level Care at Home?

    Send us Fan Mail summary This episode explores the future of hospital-level care at home, addressing why it hasn't become mainstream yet, and how it can reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and ease caregiver burdens. Lon Hecht, CEO of Care2U, shares insights on innovative in-home acute care models, insurance coverage, and the impact on healthcare systems. key topics Barriers to hospital at home adoptionCare2U's model of in-home acute careInsurance coverage for hospital at homeImpact on caregivers and familiesCost savings and healthcare system benefits resources Care2UMedicare Hospital at Home Program Value-Based Care Models (CMS Primary Care First) LEED ACO Model Mobile Urgent Care about our guest Lon Hecht, CEO of Care2U, is a healthcare leader with 25+ years in the industry who brings ER-level, hospital-grade acute care directly into patients’ homes. With more than 25 years in healthcare, Lon is a passionate advocate for reimagining how, and where, people receive care. As CEO of Care2U, he leads a mission-driven organization bringing emergency room-level and hospital-grade acute care directly into patients' homes, so families never have to choose between quality care and the comfort and dignity of home. Lon has spent his career at the intersection of patients, providers, and payers, with a deep belief that the best care meets people where they are. His work in Value-Based Care focuses on building models that put the patient experience first, a philosophy that resonates with the millions of family members caring for aging loved ones every day. Before founding Care2U, Lon served as SVP of Growth at Optum Home & Community Care, where he led the strategy and expansion of the full population management solution, giving him a ground-level understanding of the challenges seniors and caregivers face when navigating complex health needs at home. Lon is deeply committed to helping seniors live fuller, more connected lives and to supporting the caregivers who make that possible. He understands that caring for an aging loved one is one of the most meaningful and demanding roles a person can take on. Support the show

  2. Jun 1

    Dementia & Financial Exploitation: Who's Responsible?

    Send us Fan Mail Summary:  This episode explores the silent crisis of elder financial exploitation, especially in the context of dementia. Charles Wallace shares his harrowing three-year legal battle to uncover how nearly $1 million was stolen from his mother, highlighting systemic failures and the urgent need for better safeguards. Key Topics:  Elder financial exploitation and dementiaSystemic failures and responsibility gapsLegal and medical challenges in elder abuse casesAbout Charles E. Wallace, Jr.: Charles E. Wallace Jr. has a technology background in the finance, banking, healthcare, and collections industries. Charles is married with two daughters and two grandchildren. When he's not spending time with his family, working, or writing, he enjoys coaching youth basketball, outdoor activities, and cooking. Caregiver's Game: Unraveling Financial Deceit in the Shadows of Dementia is his first book. thecaregiversgame.com Charles became an authority on elder exploitation and undue influence by living through it. When COVID-19 lockdowns forced social isolation on elderly Americans, his mother's cognitive decline made her an easy target for a caregiver who used the restricted access to commit systematic theft. Red flags like unusual expenses and vanished family heirlooms led Charles into a three-year legal battle to expose the deception that flourished during a time when elder financial abuse rates jumped dramatically, and families were powerless to intervene. Support the show

  3. May 1

    Can I Sue for This? Accountability In Nursing Homes

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this conversation, Pooja A. Patel and Riz Ali discuss the complexities of personal injury law, particularly in the context of nursing homes. They explore the nuances of medical negligence, the importance of family advocacy, and the challenges of accountability within nursing homes. The discussion highlights the critical role of documentation and the legal expectations families should have when pursuing justice for their loved ones. The conversation emphasizes the need for families to be proactive in their loved ones' care and to understand their rights within the long-term care system. Takeaways Riz Ali is a personal injury attorney focused on educating the injured.Negligence in nursing homes can lead to serious harm that is often preventable.Families must be proactive in advocating for their loved ones in nursing homes.Documentation is crucial for legal cases involving nursing home negligence.Accountability in nursing homes is often difficult to enforce due to complex ownership structures.Medical negligence can occur in various settings, including hospitals and nursing homes.The law requires that injuries must manifest physically to pursue legal action.Families should report any concerns to the appropriate authorities to ensure accountability.Nursing homes play a vital role in society, but they must be held accountable for the care they provide.About Riz Ali, Esq.: Riz Ali is the founding attorney at Riz Injury Law, a law firm focused on educating the injured on their rights. Instagram: @lawyerwithriz Caregiver Health Tracking JournalHow do you keep track of all the appointments and medications and more?? Check out Carefolio! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  4. Apr 15

    ADA Doesn't Help Everybody: How to Design Inclusive Spaces

    Send us Fan Mail Summary In this conversation, Pooja A. Patel and Francisco Lasta explore the complexities of accessibility, universal design, and inclusive design. They discuss the evolution of these concepts, the challenges faced in implementing inclusive design, and the critical role of occupational therapy in shaping built environments. The conversation highlights the need for flexibility in design to accommodate diverse needs and emphasizes the importance of user experience in public spaces. They also touch on innovative approaches to design that prioritize both functionality and aesthetics, advocating for a future where inclusive design becomes the norm. Takeaways ADA requirements and universal design are not universally accessible.Accessibility is not just for the elderly and disabled; it affects everyone.Inclusive design considers various factors beyond the built environment.User experience in built spaces is often neglected.Design should be flexible to accommodate diverse needs.The built environment significantly impacts daily occupations.Advocacy for OT's role in design is crucial for change.Aesthetics should not compromise accessibility features.Adaptive design enhances the capability of design features.Collaboration between OTPs and architects is essential for inclusive design. About Francisco Lasta, OTR/L, Assoc. AIA:  With a clinical background spanning pediatrics to aging adults, Francisco brings deep insight into how to create more welcoming, supportive environments that work for a wide range of users. He directs the firm’s inclusive design program, developing tools for architects and collaborating on projects that include transit stations, airports, sensory rooms, and inclusive restroom design. As an occupational therapist (OT) with nearly two decades of experience in the field, his work is grounded in how people actually engage with the spaces around them while highlighting the power of design to enable meaningful participation for people with diverse abilities and identities. He has presented at SXSW, AIA Chicago, the American Occupational Therapy Association, NeoCon, and the Symposium to Re-envision the Center for Universal Design, among other speaking engagements, and has co-authored both a publication and a book chapter on inclusive design. Francisco also leads GFT’s Inclusive Design internship program, creating pathways for OT students to apply their skills in real-world design projects. He is also a member of Best Spaces Design Institute's Technical Advisory Group, where he helps shape a new community-informed design standard grounded in research, accessibility, and equity. Support the show

Trailers

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

TL;DR: A podcast for adult children of aging parents and family caregivers who want honest, no-fluff conversations about aging, care, and caregiving. We talk about what’s working, what’s broken, and what needs to change—without sugarcoating or euphemisms. Aging Together // Unfiltered explores the real challenges and hard decisions families face as they support aging loved ones. Hosted by Dr. Pooja A. Patel—a double-board certified occupational therapist and gerontologist, and longtime caregiver advocate—this show moves beyond “proper” conversations and into the realities families are navigating every day. After four seasons of carefully curated, polished discussions, this podcast is now intentionally unfiltered. Not for shock value, but because polite language hasn’t fixed broken systems—or made caregiving easier. Our elders and their families don’t need softer words. They need better care, clearer information, and honest conversations that lead to action. Each episode features clinicians, caregivers, innovators, and leaders who bring both professional expertise and lived experience. Together, we dive into aging in America—what’s working, what’s failing, and where families are being left to figure things out on their own. Topics include: Aging in place and long-term care optionsCare planning, transitions, and crisis momentsMental health, grief, and caregiver burnoutNavigating healthcare systems and resourcesAdvocacy, accountability, and better models of care This podcast is for the sandwich generation, long-distance caregivers, aging adults planning ahead, and professionals working in aging and care who want the truth—not platitudes. 👉 Follow Aging Together // Unfiltered if you’re navigating aging parents, caregiving decisions, or a healthcare system that wasn’t built with families in mind—and you’re ready for real conversations, not polite ones. 🎙️ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.  A production of Aging Together LLC.