Walks with Mom

Kimberly

Aging is not for the faint of heart.   I’m Kim, a proud Generation Xer, and I’m here with my Baby Boomer mom, Karren. Together, we tackle the tough—but necessary—conversations, share the hilarious (and sometimes embarrassing) moments, and open up about the stories that truly touch the heart. Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. This is Karren, and I just want to say thank you for spending this time with us. Please come back for more laughs, more connection, and more real-life moments.You’re always welcome, and I hope something from today stays with you as you travel through your own life story. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom.

  1. Episode 1

    Let’s Walk and Talk Truth About Living Together as Family for 12 Years

    Hosts: Kimberly Akers & Karren (Mom)  Welcome to Season 3 of Walks with Mom, where we continue having the tough but necessary conversations around aging, caregiving, and family life. In this truly personal episode, Kimberly and Karren open the doors to their real life as a multi-generational household. Living together for over 12 years, they share how and why the decision was made long before crisis arrived, and what it has meant for their family over time. From caring for a loved one with vascular dementia to raising children and building a shared home, this conversation explores the real reasons families choose to live together, and what it actually takes to make it work. Why planning ahead matters more than crisis managementThe origin story of multi-generational living in their familyCaring for a spouse with vascular dementiaEmotional and practical benefits of living togetherCreating independence within a shared householdSetting boundaries, space, and lifestyle expectationsFinancial planning and shared household responsibilitiesThe real challenges of cooking, caregiving, and daily life logisticsHow roles naturally shift across generations over timeThis episode is raw, real, and relatable as Kimberly and Karren reflect on what has worked, what has been hard, and what they would do again. From caregiving challenges to everyday family dynamics, this conversation shows that multi-generational living is not perfect, but it can be deeply meaningful when built on intention, communication, and support. If you are: Caring for aging parentsConsidering multi-generational livingPlanning ahead for future family supportOr navigating caregiving decisions todayThis episode will help you understand what it really looks like behind the idea, not just the concept. Subscribe to Walks with Mom for more honest conversations that help families prepare, plan, and navigate aging with clarity and connection. Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—subscribe, invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom. Special thanks to our Sponsor Amada Senior Care Mesa serving families and seniors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and the surrounding East Valley area. Accredited VA Provider (NPI # 1558048199) and Trusted resource for Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Compassionate, personalized in-home senior care starts here – contact Amada Senior Care Phoenix today by phone at (480) 418-5422 or visit us online to get started and give your loved one the support, dignity, and independence they deserve. www.amadaseniorcare.com/mesa-senior-care

    Let’s Walk and Talk Truth About Living Together as Family for 12 Years
  2. Episode 2

    Brittany Singleton on Redefining Senior Care and Aging Gracefully

    Today's Guests: Brittany Singleton, Living Gracefully Hosts: Kimberly Akers & Karren (Mom) In this episode of Walks with Mom, Kimberly Akers and Karren sit down with Brittany Singleton, owner of Living Gracefully and host of Mastering Aging Gracefully podcast, for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about modern senior care and what families truly need to know. Together, they explore how aging is as much a mindset as it is a medical journey, and why so many families are navigating decisions without enough information, time, or support. Drawing on decades of experience in physical therapy, hospice, and assisted living, Brittany explains why aging is not simply a medical journey. Mindset, movement, independence, family support, and access to quality care can all influence how people experience the later chapters of life. The conversation examines the difference between rushed home health care and longer, more intentional treatment. Brittany also explains direct-access physical therapy in Arizona and why giving licensed professionals more time with each person can lead to more individualized and effective care. Kim, Karren, and Brittany also explore assisted living, residential care homes, functional fitness, and the questions families should ask before selecting senior care services. Whether you are a caregiver, an adult child helping aging parents, or someone planning for your own future, this episode offers practical insight into navigating senior living, physical therapy, caregiving, and long-term care with greater confidence. Quality senior care should do more than manage immediate needs. It should protect dignity, encourage independence, support movement, and help people continue living meaningful lives. Watch the complete conversation and share it with someone making care decisions for an aging loved one. Connect With Brittany Singleton Learn more about Brittany Singleton, Living Gracefully, and the Mastering Aging Gracefully podcast. www.living-grace.com 480-740-8122 Subscribe to Walks with Mom for more real conversations about aging, caregiving, and family connection. Share this episode with someone who may be making care decisions for a loved one. Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—subscribe, invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom. Special thanks to our Sponsor Amada Senior Care Mesa serving families and seniors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and the surrounding East Valley area. Accredited VA Provider (NPI # 1558048199) and Trusted resource for Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Compassionate, personalized in-home senior care starts here – contact Amada Senior Care Phoenix today by phone at (480) 418-5422 or visit us online to get started and give your loved one the support, dignity, and independence they deserve. www.amadaseniorcare.com/mesa-senior-care

    Brittany Singleton on Redefining Senior Care and Aging Gracefully
  3. Episode 3

    Walking With a Wife & Caregiver: Navigating the Unexpected Journey of Alzheimer's

    In this episode, Kim and her mom Karren dive into a very real and relatable topic: caregiving for a spouse, and what happens when the doctor is the one who needs care. What started as a normal retirement for long-time family friend Loraine Marlow and her husband Bob, a former physician affectionately known as "Doc" took an unexpected turn when Bob began experiencing short-term memory loss.  From the initial diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment to navigating Alzheimer's, this episode is filled with heartfelt honesty, humor, and valuable insight for anyone walking alongside a spouse or aging parent experiencing cognitive changes.   They talk through the real struggles: jumping through the bureaucratic hoops of banks and long-term care insurance, the difficult day Bob recognized he could no longer drive, and the emotional reality of giving up their travel plans.   Loraine also shares practical advice from her own ongoing journey, including why you need to secure financial access early, how she fully embraced her unexpected role as "activities director" to keep Bob moving, and why giving grace to a loved one with memory loss is absolutely essential.   More than anything, this episode is a perspective about learning how to adapt to shifting marriage roles without losing your own joy, and finding creative ways to practice self-care and stay connected to family when life looks different than you planned.  Listen for: • Why planning for financial and legal access matters long before a crisis hits. • How to handle the frustrating systems of banks and insurance companies as a senior. • Practical ways to pivot when a spouse can no longer travel or drive. • Why physical activity and socialization are crucial for those with cognitive impairment. • A fantastic, easy-to-read book recommendation for Alzheimer's caregivers.   Episode At a Glance 03:18 - The early signs: Transitioning from Mild Cognitive Impairment to an Alzheimer's diagnosis.   06:39 - The financial learning curve: Why navigating bank apps and credit card access is harder than it should be.   12:57 - The unexpected activities director: Getting to chair yoga and keeping social connections alive.   18:04 - When the travel stops: Grieving the loss of trips and finding new ways for the grandkids to visit.   22:32 - Loraine’s top resource: A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver and her best advice for families.   Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—subscribe, invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom. Special thanks to our Sponsor Amada Senior Care Mesa serving families and seniors in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and the surrounding East Valley area. Accredited VA Provider (NPI # 1558048199) and Trusted resource for Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Compassionate, personalized in-home senior care starts here – contact Amada Senior Care Phoenix today by phone at (480) 418-5422 or visit us online to get started and give your loved one the support, dignity, and independence they deserve. www.amadaseniorcare.com/mesa-senior-care

    Walking With a Wife & Caregiver: Navigating the Unexpected Journey of Alzheimer's

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Aging is not for the faint of heart.   I’m Kim, a proud Generation Xer, and I’m here with my Baby Boomer mom, Karren. Together, we tackle the tough—but necessary—conversations, share the hilarious (and sometimes embarrassing) moments, and open up about the stories that truly touch the heart. Come with us as we explore what it means to navigate these years with our aging loved ones. This is Karren, and I just want to say thank you for spending this time with us. Please come back for more laughs, more connection, and more real-life moments.You’re always welcome, and I hope something from today stays with you as you travel through your own life story. So grab a cup of coffee—or maybe a glass of wine—invite your friends or family, and join us for Walks with Mom.