Mastering Aging Gracefully

Living Gracefully
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Health & Fitness

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast Mastering Aging Gracefully.  About Your HostBrittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care.  Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more: www.living-grace.comPhone: 480-200-2351

  1. 6d ago

    From World Class Gymnastics to Senior Fitness

    What happens when a coach who has spent more than 40 years helping athletes discover what their bodies can do brings that same belief, joy, and fire into senior living communities? In this episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, host Brittany Singleton sits down with Wendi Fiarkoski, whose energy has shaped lives across generations. Wendi traces her love of movement back to growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, where she was the energetic eight year old who loved climbing, jumping, and being upside down. She began coaching gymnastics in 1986 and went on to work with everyone from young beginners to world class athletes. After moving to Arizona, she continued coaching before turning decades of experience into Fiar It Up, a consulting business with a larger purpose of inspiring and encouraging others. That purpose found a powerful new expression when Wendi joined Living Gracefully as a fitness specialist. She explains how her experience coaching high level athletes prepared her to serve seniors with the same belief in their potential. The pace may change, but the mission does not. Wendi sees the residents in her classes as athletes and adapts every program to the culture, abilities, and needs of each community. Her stories reveal what individualized care looks like in motion. One group loves tossing balls back and forth. Another lights up when class ends with song requests, movement, and dancing. She wants every resident to feel known, included, challenged, and celebrated. Brittany and Wendi also talk about the natural energy they bring into a room and the importance of refusing to become smaller simply because someone thinks they are too much. For Wendi, that fire is not a performance. It is part of who she is, how she coaches, and how she connects with people. Her faith and love for seniors guide the way she serves. This conversation is a joyful reminder that meaningful movement is about more than exercise. It can build confidence, spark laughter, and help people feel fully alive at every age. Listen for an uplifting look at how great coaching begins with meeting people where they are and believing there is always more life to celebrate. Her story shows how skill, joy, faith, and connection can transform a class into something meaningful. About the guest Wendi Fiarkoski is the founder of Fiar It Up, a gymnastics consultant, and a fitness specialist with Living Gracefully. She has coached gymnastics since 1986 and brings more than 40 years of experience working with people across ages and ability levels. Her work is so centered on movement, faith, encouragement, and helping others discover their strength. Guest contact FiarItUp@gmail.com 720.233.5619 About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    From World Class Gymnastics to Senior Fitness

  2. Sep 17

    What Every Family Should Know Before Choosing Assisted Living

    Guest: Jennifer "Jenn" Wassermann, Attorney, Davis-Miles Law Offices In this episode, we sit down with Jenn Wassermann, an attorney whose practice focuses on representing regulated businesses and licensed healthcare professionals before the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings, professional licensing boards, and state and federal courts. Her path into senior care started long before law school: she grew up in a high-rise for the elderly where her mother was the resident manager, giving her hundreds of "grandparents" from sixth grade through college. After moving to Arizona, Jenn and her husband invested in and operated two licensed assisted living homes for about six years. Both became certified caregivers, and Jenn is an NCIA-certified assisted living manager and licensed Arizona real estate agent. Navigating COVID-era regulations as hands-on owners - while her legal work shifted toward healthcare and regulatory law - eventually led them to sell the homes so she could serve operators statewide. That owner experience is exactly why her clients trust her today. In this conversation, we cover: - Arizona assisted living basics: homes are licensed for up to 10 beds, communities for 11 or more, all regulated by the Department of Health Services - Paying for care: Medicare does not cover assisted living. ALTCS (Arizona's Medicaid program) can help those who qualify, but not every home accepts it - SB 1473: Jenn helped draft this new law, signed by the governor, that protects the right of residential assisted living homes to operate statewide - stopping individual municipalities from capping occupancy below the state's 10-bed license, a cap that would hurt both operators and residents socially - Keeping couples together: a brand-new statute, already in effect, lets a spouse or loved one move into assisted living with someone who needs care even if they don't qualify for services themselves - no medical record or ADL requirement for the "healthy spouse" - Arizona's three levels of care: supervisory, personal, and directed (which can include memory care), plus what ADLs (activities of daily living) actually mean - Last year's memory care regulations: dementia training and elopement drills - Vetting who enters the home: DPS fingerprint clearance cards, the newer APS (Adult Protective Services) registry check for employees, and the gray area around fingerprinting contractors - Why peer interaction in smaller home settings matters for residents' quality of life Beyond her practice, Jenn serves on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association (advisory member), is an officer of the Arizona Behavioral Health Providers Association, and is a member of the Arizona Society of Healthcare Attorneys. She keeps a bright line in her work: she represents the professionals and communities, and does not take cases against facilities. Her philosophy is simple - this is a high-touch, human industry, and the gray areas take someone who has worn the business owner's hat. If you'd like to learn more about assisted living operations or regulation, reach out to Jenn through Davis-Miles Law Offices. Jennifer Wassermann jeassermsnn@davismiles.com  Tel: (480) 344-4051 About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    What Every Family Should Know Before Choosing Assisted Living

  3. Sep 10

    One Fall Ends It All: Simple Home Fixes That Keep Seniors Independent

    Guest: Drew Seifried, Owner and President of TruBlue Home Service Ally of Phoenix In this episode, we sit down with Drew Seifried, a U.S. military veteran and the Owner and President of TruBlue Home Service Ally of Phoenix, serving the entire Valley. Drew's philosophy is simple: take care of people, build relationships, and always do the right thing. His passion is helping seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities maintain their independence and age safely in place. Drew explains how TruBlue approaches aging in place through three services: full home modifications like barrier free showers, grab bars, and anti slip surfaces; handyman and home maintenance so seniors never have to climb a ladder or let a small plumbing leak turn into a flooded house; and ADA accessibility products. The goal is a home that never feels like a hospital room. The conversation is full of practical wisdom. Drew describes the invisible tripwires hiding in plain sight, like throw rugs and extension cords people have lived with for decades, and the simple fix of double sided tape when a beloved rug is not going anywhere. He shares the numbers that matter: one in four adults over 65 fall, and the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, with not one soft surface in it. From there he walks through budget friendly fixes anyone can make this weekend, from rubber threshold ramps and raised toilets to inexpensive lighting strips for that risky path from bedroom to bathroom. We also get into why suction cup grab bars are an incident waiting to happen, what stair lifts and vertical lifts can do for a home, and how Maricopa County's 2022 code changes are making these modifications easier than ever. Drew is equally serious about who comes through the front door: TruBlue's team members are employees, background checked, and trained in CPR and first aid. His advice for families starts simple. Visit your parents' home at night to see what they actually see. Ditch the backless slippers. Add bed rails and properly placed grab bars. As Drew puts it, one fall is often the difference between complete independence and complete dependence, and small investments now beat hospital bills later. Whether you are a senior planning to stay in your home or an adult child helping your parents do the same, this episode is full of practical, affordable ways to make home the safest place to be. TruBlue Home Service Ally of Phoenix offers free home safety assessments across the Phoenix metropolitan area. About Guest: Drew Seifried is a U.S. military veteran, entrepreneur, and the Owner and President of TruBlue Home Service Ally of Phoenix. His passion for service didn’t end with the military; it continues through his work helping people feel safer and more confident in their homes. Drew is especially passionate about supporting seniors who want to maintain their independence and age safely in place. At the heart of everything he does is a simple philosophy: take care of people, build relationships, and always do the right thing. Drew Seifried - 602-818-8566 About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    One Fall Ends It All: Simple Home Fixes That Keep Seniors Independent

  4. Sep 3

    Senior Care, Care Coordination & Planning Ahead with Rebecca Poger

    In this episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, we sit down with Rebecca Poger, Vice President of Community Relations at Brightwood Health, for a candid, funny, and insightful conversation about senior care, caregiving, care coordination, family dynamics, and what it really means to help people age with dignity. Rebecca works closely with hospitals, assisted living communities, home care organizations, hospice companies, wound care specialists, and other senior care professionals. Her goal is to connect clients and families with the right resources while helping them successfully navigate care at home. But this conversation goes far beyond senior care resources. Rebecca shares one of the most important lessons her father taught her: your greatest characteristic can become your greatest weakness. Her natural desire to help, fix problems, and take control eventually taught her a powerful lesson about empowering others to take ownership of their own lives. At 52, Rebecca reflects on how our perspective changes as we move through different seasons of life. We become more empathetic, more aware of our experiences, and often more intentional about how we show up for others. The conversation also tackles an important topic that families often avoid: advance directives and planning ahead. Rebecca explains why having a will and advance directives in place can make an incredibly difficult season easier for families. When someone can no longer advocate for themselves, having their wishes documented provides a roadmap for loved ones who may otherwise be left trying to make difficult decisions without knowing what their family member wanted. The discussion also explores the emotional realities of aging. Fear, shame, embarrassment, changing health conditions, and the desire to maintain independence can all impact how seniors communicate with their families and caregivers. Sometimes, seniors are more honest about what they need when family members aren't in the room. Rebecca also shares why she is extremely intentional about the professionals she recommends to her clients. Her philosophy is simple: her name is attached to every referral she makes. She isn't looking for a financial kickback. Her reward is knowing that the person she trusts with her client will provide the same level of dignity, care, and respect she expects. For Rebecca, a referral is an extension of the care she provides. This episode is a powerful reminder that senior care is about more than services. It's about people, relationships, trust, dignity, communication, and preparation. In This Episode • Meet Rebecca Poger and learn about her role at Brightwood Health • What care coordination looks like inside the home • Why caregivers can be the eyes and ears of a care team • Recognizing changes in condition and changes in care needs • Why families should plan ahead with wills and advance directives • How advance directives can help families navigate difficult decisions • The emotional side of aging, including fear, shame, and loss of independence • Why seniors may communicate differently when family members aren't present • The importance of dignity and empowering older adults • How trusted partnerships strengthen senior care • Why experience matters when choosing caregivers and care professionals • The difference between a referral and a true professional partnership • Rebecca's philosophy of helping people without enabling them • Lessons learned through motherhood, life experience, and different seasons of life A Different Way to Think About Helping One of Rebecca's biggest lessons has been learning the difference between helping someone and taking over for them. Her approach today is to ask, "What have you done for yourself so far?" She wants people to remain in control of their own lives and their own journey while knowing that support is available when they need it. Sometimes the best help isn't doing everything for someone. It's walking alongside them, providing the right resources, and giving them the confidence to move forward. Why Planning Ahead Matters No family wants to imagine a time when a parent or loved one can no longer speak for themselves. But having a will and advance directives in place can give families clarity when difficult decisions arise. Your wishes shouldn't have to be guessed during a crisis. Planning ahead allows you to communicate what matters to you and gives your family a clearer roadmap for the future. About Rebecca Poger Rebecca Poger is Vice President of Community Relations at Brightwood Health. She works with healthcare and senior care professionals to connect individuals and families with resources that support successful care at home and throughout the aging journey. About Mastering Aging Gracefully Mastering Aging Gracefully is dedicated to elevating conversations around senior care, aging, caregiving, healthcare, and the professionals who serve older adults and their families. Because aging doesn't come with a manual, but the right conversations can make the journey easier. SEO Keywords: Mastering Aging Gracefully, Rebecca Poger, Brightwood Health, senior care, senior living, caregiving, care coordination, home care, hospice care, assisted living, advance directives, advance care planning, aging parents, caregiver support, elder care, senior healthcare, care management, senior care resources, aging gracefully, senior care podcast. Rebecca Poger Community Relations Manager Vice President, Community Relations Brightwood Health Rebecca Poger has been in the home care industry since 2009, beginning her career as a personal caregiver for a veteran living with Lewy Body Dementia. Since then, she has held leadership roles across care coordination, operations, and community relations with organizations including Senior Helpers, Amada Senior Care, and Visiting Angels. She has also served as a community advocate and educator for the Alzheimer’s Association and has worked alongside first responders—training police, firefighters, and EMTs on how to effectively respond to individuals living with dementia. Currently, as Vice President of Community Relations at Brightwood Health, Rebecca focuses on helping patients and families successfully transition from hospitals and rehabilitation settings back into the home. She works closely with providers, case managers, and a wide network of community resources to ensure clients receive the right level of support—reducing readmissions and improving outcomes. Rebecca is especially passionate about supporting veterans and their families through VA-based care services, as well as helping spouses and caregivers navigate respite and long-term care options. Her approach is hands-on, practical, and centered around giving families clarity during some of their most critical decisions. rebecca@brightwood.health (480) 718-7180  (623) 303-4901 1255 W Rio Salado Pkwy,  Suite 101, Tempe, AZ, 85281 About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    Senior Care, Care Coordination & Planning Ahead with Rebecca Poger

  5. Aug 27

    Compliance, Technology, and Better Senior Care with Nico Galsim

    What does it really take to run an assisted living home today? It is about far more than providing compassionate care. Behind every residential assisted living home is a complex world of staffing, regulations, operations, compliance, zoning, documentation, and constant change. In this episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, host Brittany Singleton sits down with Nico Galsim, a second-generation assisted living owner and operator, real estate investor, Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association board member, and entrepreneur who is working to bring technology into one of the industry's biggest challenges: compliance. Nico operates 10 residential assisted living homes across Arizona's North and East Valley, giving him a unique perspective on senior care. He grew up around assisted living, runs these homes today, and is now developing technology designed to help other operators navigate the increasingly complicated compliance landscape. From Growing Up in Assisted Living to Running 10 Homes Nico's connection to senior care started early. Assisted living isn't simply a business he entered. It is an environment he grew up around. Today, he oversees operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance across a growing portfolio of residential assisted living homes. That firsthand experience gives him an unusual understanding of both sides of the industry: what families and residents need and what operators face behind the scenes. Why Compliance Is Becoming a Bigger Part of Senior Care Compliance can sometimes feel like a mountain of paperwork and regulations, but Nico explains why it matters and why residential care operators need to understand it as part of their everyday operations. The conversation explores the challenges operators face as regulations continue to evolve and why staying organized can make the difference between being prepared and facing costly deficiencies. Nico discusses some of the areas where operators commonly run into trouble, including: • Medication administration records • Service plans • Evacuation and disaster drills • Documentation • Day-to-day operational systems • Changing regulatory requirements His philosophy is simple: compliance should work for you, not against you. The Changing Landscape of Residential Assisted Living Brittany and Nico also discuss changes affecting group homes and residential assisted living, including occupancy and zoning considerations in Arizona. As the senior population continues to grow, the demand for quality residential care is changing too. Nico believes the industry is entering an important period where operators who understand compliance, systems, and operational efficiency will be better positioned for the future. Can Technology Make Assisted Living Easier? This is where the conversation gets especially interesting. Nico is developing an AI-powered compliance platform for assisted living operators, based on systems he first needed for his own homes. The goal is to help operators manage the many moving pieces of compliance and daily operations without adding unnecessary complexity. The platform is designed around compliance and operations rather than resident health information, helping operators stay on top of requirements while reducing the risk of things being overlooked. What Families Should Know About Assisted Living For families considering assisted living or residential care for a loved one, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into operating a quality care home. Good senior care isn't only about the person providing hands-on care. It is also about the systems supporting that care. When operations are organized, staff are supported, regulations are understood, and leadership is engaged, residents and families benefit. And perhaps most importantly, Nico's story demonstrates that the future of senior care doesn't have to choose between compassion and technology. The best care may come from finding ways to use both. About Nico Galsim Owner & Operator, Assisted Living Nico Galsim is a second-generation assisted living owner-operator based in Gilbert, Arizona. He l operates ten residential assisted living homes across the North and East Valley, overseeing facility operations, staffing, and regulatory compliance across the portfolio. He is also a real estate investor and serves on the board of the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association, where he advocates for small operators navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment. He is currently entering the Al technology space, building a compliance platform for assisted living operators — developed first for his own homes. His perspective is an unusual one in the industry: he grew up in these homes, runs them today, and is now building the software the industry has been missing. Disclosure:  Our guest owns and operates licensed assisted living homes here in Arizona, and he and his wife also have ownership in a compliance software company, a placement and referral service, and a staffing agency all in this same industry. He also sits on the board of the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association, which advocates on legislation in this space, though he’s here in his personal capacity and not speaking for them. So he has a real stake in the rules we’re about to talk about, and we want you to know that going in. He’s also not an attorney, and nothing in this episode is legal or medical advice. Arizona law in this space changes fast, so check anything you plan to act on against the current official text. About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    Compliance, Technology, and Better Senior Care with Nico Galsim

  6. Aug 20

    When Senior Care Becomes Personal, Purposeful, and Full of Heart with Kori Zarinegar

    What if great senior care wasn't just about providing care, but about creating a life worth looking forward to? In this sweet episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, host Brittany Singleton sits down with Kori Zarinegar, a senior care professional, dementia educator, residential care home owner, and longtime advocate for families navigating aging and memory care. With more than 20 years of experience serving seniors, Kori brings a perspective that goes far beyond the traditional idea of senior care. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: people need more than care. They need connection, movement, purpose, dignity, and something to look forward to. And this conversation gets personal. Kori and Brittany talk about the importance of building genuine partnerships in senior care, and how those relationships can transform the experience for not only residents, but their families and caregivers, too. When Care Becomes More Than a Service One of the most beautiful parts of this conversation is the relationship that has developed between Kori, her family, and the professionals who care for her parents. What started as a professional partnership became something much more meaningful. Kori shares how her father's physical therapy and fitness routine became about more than simply improving strength and mobility. He began looking forward to seeing the people who came into his home. That anticipation matters. The exercise mattered. The relationships mattered. The connection mattered. Sometimes, improving quality of life isn't just about adding more years. It's about giving someone more reasons to enjoy the years they have. Senior Care Should Be Personal Kori and Brittany also have an honest conversation about the challenges families can encounter with traditional healthcare and senior care systems. They discuss the limitations that can exist within home health, including the amount of time therapists may have with patients and the pressures placed on healthcare professionals. The conversation isn't about blaming the people providing care. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's about recognizing that caregivers and healthcare professionals often want to do more, but are working within systems that can limit their time, resources, and autonomy. That raises an important question: What would senior care look like if we approached every resident the way we would want someone to care for our own parents? For Kori, that question is at the heart of everything she does. Movement Is Medicine, But Connection Matters Too Kori talks about the importance of keeping older adults moving, especially after a fall, illness, or decline in physical ability. But this conversation takes it one step further. Exercise isn't only about physical strength. It can create: • Routine • Confidence • Social connection • Mental stimulation • Purpose • Independence • Something to look forward to Kori has seen firsthand how meaningful activity can affect residents' quality of life, and she shares why she believes exercise, socialization, cognitive engagement, dignity, and joy should all be part of the senior care conversation. And Then We Talk About Memory Care... As the conversation turns toward memory care and dementia, Kori brings more than two decades of experience to the table. As a Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Alzheimer's Association community educator, caregiver support group facilitator, and owner of two licensed residential care homes, she understands the realities families face when dementia becomes part of their loved one's journey. Her approach centers on education, compassionate caregiving, consistency, meaningful activities, and strong family partnerships. Because dementia care isn't simply about managing symptoms. It's about remembering the person behind the diagnosis. What You'll Take Away From This EpisodeThis conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it means to age well and what truly makes a difference in the lives of older adults. You'll hear about: • The importance of meaningful relationships in senior care • Why movement and exercise matter as we age • The connection between physical activity and quality of life • How social connection can give seniors a renewed sense of purpose • The realities of navigating home health care • Why family partnerships are essential in senior care • The importance of dementia education for caregivers and families • How residential care homes can create more personalized experiences • Why dignity and autonomy should remain central to aging • How caregivers can help seniors find joy and purpose every day A Conversation About What Really Matters This episode isn't simply about assisted living, memory care, physical therapy, or senior services. It's about people. It's about parents. It's about the professionals who show up for them. It's about the relationships that develop along the way. And it's about recognizing that aging doesn't mean we stop needing friendship, laughter, purpose, movement, and connection. Sometimes, those things are exactly what help us keep going. Because aging gracefully isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about creating a life where people continue to feel seen, valued, connected, and cared for. About the Guest:  KORI ZARINEGAR Senior Care Professional | Dementia Educator | Residential Care Home Owner 20+ YEARS SERVING SENIORS 2 LICENSED CARE HOMES CADDCT DEMENTIA TRAINER PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY Kori Zarinegar has served seniors and families for more than 20 years. She owns two licensed residential care homes: Mountain Cove Luxury Senior Care in Anthem and Assisted Living Amber Hills in North Phoenix. She is a licensed Arizona assisted living manager, a Community Educator for the Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest Chapter, and the facilitator of a monthly caregiver support group. Kori is also a Certified Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT) through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She is the founder of Memory Care Training AZ and the author of an Arizona Department of Health Services-licensed memory care training curriculum. Her mission is to improve dementia care through education, compassionate and consistent caregivers, meaningful daily activities, and genuine partnerships with families. Kori's approach emphasizes exercise, socialization, cognitive engagement, dignity, and joy to help residents maintain their abilities and experience the best possible quality of life.  senior care, senior living, memory care, dementia care, dementia education, Alzheimer's care, aging parents, caring for aging parents, assisted living, residential care homes, senior health, aging gracefully, senior fitness, elderly care, caregiver support, caregiver burnout, dementia caregivers, Alzheimer's caregivers, quality of life for seniors, senior living Arizona, memory care Arizona, senior care Scottsdale, senior care Phoenix, senior care Anthem, Kori Zarinegar, Mastering Aging Gracefully #MasteringAgingGracefully #SeniorCare #MemoryCare #DementiaCare #AgingGracefully #SeniorLiving #AgingParents #CaregiverSupport #AlzheimersCare #SeniorHealth #SeniorFitness #ArizonaSeniorCare Now ask yourself: What is one thing you believe every older adult deserves more of as they age: connection, purpose, independence, movement, or simply someone who listens? Tell us in the comments. Your answer could help another family realize they're not alone in this journey. About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    When Senior Care Becomes Personal, Purposeful, and Full of Heart with Kori Zarinegar

  7. Aug 13

    Hospice Isn’t Giving Up: What Families Need to Know About End-of-Life Care with Guest Kelli Tucker

    Hospice isn't about giving up. It's about comfort, dignity, quality of life, and helping families navigate one of life's most difficult transitions. In this episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, Brittany Singleton sits down with hospice professional Kelli Tucker to talk about what hospice really means, how hospice can support families at home, and why understanding your options before a crisis can make all the difference. What if hospice isn't about giving up? What if it is actually about giving families the opportunity to breathe, reconnect, and focus on what matters most? In this deeply personal episode of Mastering Aging Gracefully, host Brittany Singleton welcomes Kelli Tucker, a longtime hospice professional with Suncrest Hospice and Palliative Care, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about hospice care, end-of-life support, family guilt, dignity, and what it really means to help someone live well through the final chapter of life. For Kelli, hospice isn't just a career. It's personal. After losing her own mother to lung cancer, Kelli experienced firsthand how overwhelming it can be for families to make end-of-life decisions without fully understanding their options. That experience eventually led her into hospice, where she has spent years helping other families navigate the very journey she once experienced herself. And Brittany and Kelli don't shy away from the hard questions. Is Hospice Really About Dying? One of the biggest misconceptions families have about hospice is that choosing hospice means you're giving up. Brittany and Kelli challenge that idea throughout this conversation. Hospice can actually be about living more comfortably, maintaining dignity, supporting the family, and making the most of the time that remains. Kelli shares how her own experience with hospice changed her perspective. Rather than carrying the overwhelming responsibility of managing everything herself, hospice allowed her to step back into the role of daughter instead of feeling like she had to be the caregiver, coordinator, and decision-maker for everything. That distinction can change everything. When Families Are Making Decisions in Crisis Brittany and Kelli talk about something families often don't realize until they're already in the middle of it. It's incredibly difficult to make major healthcare decisions when you're in crisis. When a physician, hospital, rehabilitation facility, case manager, and social worker are all giving you information at once, it can be difficult to know what questions to ask or which direction to take. Kelli shares a powerful story about a wife who was overwhelmed after being told her husband needed hospice. Instead of immediately trying to explain everything, Kelli sat down with her. She listened. She gave her space to process. And once this woman felt heard, she was able to begin understanding what needed to happen next. Sometimes compassionate care begins with simply saying: "Tell me what you need." The Hospice Team Isn't Just About Medical Care Brittany and Kelli also explore what hospice can actually look like for a family. Hospice may involve a team that includes: NursesSocial workersChaplainsCaregiversPhysiciansEmotional and spiritual supportEducation for family membersGuidance through changes in a loved one's conditionThe goal is to help the individual and the family navigate the journey together. Sometimes it's love. The End-of-Life Doula Conversation Brittany and Kelli also open the door to an important conversation about end-of-life doulas. Kelli believes end-of-life doulas can provide another layer of personalized support and help families better understand what the end-of-life process can look like. It's not simply about preparing for death. It's about helping people understand what is happening, creating meaningful moments, supporting the family, and protecting the individual's dignity throughout the process. We Don't Have a Crystal Ball One of the most powerful reminders in this episode is that nobody knows exactly how much time someone has. A person may be considered hospice appropriate, but that doesn't mean anyone has a crystal ball. Kelli shares personal experiences with both of her parents and reflects on the importance of appreciating the time we have, even when the circumstances aren't what we expected. And perhaps that's the bigger message Brittany and Kelli leave us with: We may not be able to control how much time we have, but we can influence how that time is experienced. What if hospice isn't about giving up, but about giving your loved one comfort, dignity, support, and a better quality of life? Because sometimes the most loving thing we can do isn't to do more. About the guest: Kelli Tucker has been serving families in hospice care since 2010 and has a deep passion for educating others about the comfort, dignity, and support hospice provides. Her calling to this work is personal. After experiencing the compassionate care hospice gave both of her parents during their end-of-life journeys, she knew she wanted to help other families navigate one of life’s most difficult seasons with knowledge, empathy, and hope. As a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Kelli also facilitates dementia support groups within the senior living communities she serves, creating a safe and compassionate space where caregivers and families can find education, encouragement, practical resources, and connection with others facing similar challenges. She is passionate about helping families feel supported long before hospice is ever needed. Outside of her professional life, Kelli enjoys expressing her creativity through beauty, fashion, paddle boarding, and lifestyle content, and loves spending time with her two beloved Golden Retrievers, who bring endless joy to her life. hospice care, what is hospice, hospice care for seniors, hospice at home, hospice for aging parents, end of life care, end of life planning, hospice misconceptions, is hospice giving up, hospice benefits, hospice services, senior care, senior living, aging parents, caring for aging parents, caregiver support, family caregiver, end of life support, hospice nurse, hospice team, quality of life, compassionate senior care, end of life doula, hospice education, Medicare hospice, navigating senior care, aging gracefully, Mastering Aging Gracefully, Brittany Singleton, Kelli Tucker About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    Hospice Isn’t Giving Up: What Families Need to Know About End-of-Life Care with Guest Kelli Tucker

  8. Aug 5

    Why Small Senior Living Homes Matter A Family Approach to Care with Cindy Sorber

    Today, we had the absolute pleasure of connecting with Cindy Sorber of Dove Song Retreat and this conversation is one that truly stays with you. From the moment you walk into one of their homes, you feel it… warmth, peace, and something so many families are searching for: a true sense of home. As Cindy shares, Dove Song Retreat was born out of a deeply personal experience one that many families can relate to. The difficult journey of placing a loved one in care. The uncertainty. The guilt. The overwhelming question… “Is this the right place?” Instead of accepting the status quo, they chose to create something different. A place where seniors are not just cared for—but known, valued, and loved A place where families don’t feel like visitors—but part of the home  A place where laughter around the table replaces long, lonely hallways As described in the conversation, their vision was simple but powerful: create small, intimate residential homes where every person feels seen, safe, and truly at home  This episode isn’t just about senior living—it’s about human connection. Cindy opens up about: Why traditional senior living can sometimes feel overwhelming or impersonalThe beauty of small, residential assisted living homesHow personalized care changes everything for both residents and familiesThe importance of open communication and trust with familiesCreating environments where seniors can still thrive, laugh, and belongAnd maybe most importantly… What it really means to feel at home in your final chapter of life Imagine waking up not to a long hallway but to the smell of coffee brewing… Sitting at a table filled with laughter… Being surrounded by people who know your name, your story, and what makes you smile. That’s the life Cindy and her team are creating every single day. About today’s guest: Cindy Sorber’s journey in senior care began in the late 1990s, providing personalized support to seniors in their private homes. In 2002, she expanded her expertise into behavioral health, serving adults with mental and behavioral challenges in a clinical setting. Over the years, Cindy has embraced a wide range of leadership roles—including Private Duty Caregiver, Activities Director, Business Office Director, Licensed Assisted Living Manager, and now, Operations Director of residential assisted living homes.  Her passion lies in creating beautiful, comfortable environments where seniors can truly thrive. Drawing on her design experience, Cindy is dedicated to fostering spaces that promote independence, joy, and well-being. She believes in the power of daily movement, nutritious meals, creative expression, and meaningful social engagement to enrich the lives of older adults. At DoveSong Retreat, Cindy’s mission is to help seniors live actively and purposefully—celebrating each moment with warmth, dignity, and care. OPERATIONS DIRECTOR & ADVOCATE FOR VIBRANT SENIOR LIVING Cindy Sorber,  phone 602-363-4781  email: cindy@dovesongretreat.com Senior living Assisted living homes Residential assisted living Small group homes for seniors Senior care options Caregiver support Dementia care Senior living Arizona Dove Song Retreat Family-centered senior care Elder care solutions Senior housing options Aging with dignity Personalized senior care Senior living podcast About Your Host Brittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care. Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more:  www.living-grace.com  Call us at: 480-200-2351

    Why Small Senior Living Homes Matter A Family Approach to Care with Cindy Sorber
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

We’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast Mastering Aging Gracefully.  About Your HostBrittany Singleton is the owner and creator of Living Gracefully, dedicated to helping seniors age in place with dignity, support, and joy. A licensed physical therapist since 1999, she brings decades of experience and a passion for redefining aging through personalized, concierge-style in-home care.  Through Living Gracefully, Brittany and her team provide individualized wellness plans including physical therapy, fall prevention, cognitive support, nutrition, companionship, and end-of-life guidance—all focused on peace of mind and quality of life. Learn more: www.living-grace.comPhone: 480-200-2351

Information

  • Creator
    Living Gracefully
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mastering Aging Gracefully
  • Show Website
    Mastering Aging Gracefully