45 Forward

When people approach middle age, you might expect them to begin thinking about retirement, but these days, many people are far from winding down. In fact, they’re just getting started—as part of a growing cohort of first-time entrepreneurs. These 50-plus entrepreneurs are joining younger generations of start-up business owners, often using their decades of experience, sizable professional networks and financial assets to start and sustain their business. But there’s another invaluable resource that may be one of our nation’s best-kept secrets: It’s called SCORE, a nonprofit organization created 60 years ago as a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, originally an acronym for the Service Corps of Retired Executives. In today’s episode, Ann Middleman, the chair of the Long Island Chapter of SCORE, talks about the wealth of free services, programs, courses, workshops, counseling and tools that SCORE offers through dozens of chapters to thousands of budding entrepreneurs nationwide—no matter what their age. Like many SCORE volunteers, Ann is a business mentor, using the considerable experiences and skills from her own marketing career to “pay it forward” for the next wave of entrepreneurs. She’ll talk about why volunteers join SCORE; how you can participate in the organization’s programs and services; and offer vivid examples of entrepreneurs who have worked with SCORE, not only leading to individual success stories, but contributing to the vibrancy of our continually renewing economy.

As we move along into our midlife career journey, we may feel that success and well-being are still within us, and yet…the stress of daily living and our own internal blocks may be clouding that potential. Something is holding us back, and despite our best efforts, we haven’t been able to work through it. In today’s episode, we talk with Tildet Varon, a sought-after inspirational speaker, business coach and “Inner Master Specialist” who is passionately committed to guiding individuals, as well leaders and organizations, to maximize their potential. Tildet will explain how she applies her practice of inner mastery, helping people align their minds and emotions with actions and results—a way of approaching life that connects you with who you really are, bridging the gap between your goals and your reality, from the inside out. She has spoken to all types of audiences, ranging from start-ups to nonprofits to Fortune 500s, helping with issues such as loss of engagement, ineffective communication, and stress. She will recount how her personal experiences overcoming daunting setbacks and obstacles helped pave her own path toward highly effective transformation. And integrating the broad knowledge she gained by starting and running three successful companies and by achieving expertise in human behavioral work,Tildet will tell us how she helps people uncover and clarify their vision for their lives and find a path to make that vision a reality.

As we get older, we all strive to increase the years of “healthspan,” along with our lifespan. But how can we plan to sustain overall wellness during elderhood—potentially into our 90s—not only our physical health, but our mental and emotional health and sense of well-being? In today’s episode, Tim Daniels, an independent wellness planning expert, talks about his pioneering journey carving a path through the health and wellness landscape, shifting the focus of care toward proactive wellness improvement. He’ll explain how he creates comprehensive wellness plans for individuals that include nutritional balance, supplementation, age-appropriate exercise, quality sleep, a healthy home and effective engagement with healthcare providers. Tim likens his role to that of a financial manager who provides strategies to support the fiscal health of individuals, but then transfers his knowledge and skills, empowering people to take charge of their own wellness. He’ll also talk about his approach to managing pain, employing a non-pharmacological tool called PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) that studies have shown can significantly reduce acute and chronic pain. And with a diverse background that includes executive roles in the technology and home-care fields, as well as personal experiences as a collegiate wrestler and practitioner of Chinese internal martial arts, Tim will talk about how he focuses today on serving the elderly, retired professional athletes, corporate executives and entrepreneurs--meeting people where they are, while helping them lead their best lives.

This has been a particularly hot summer, between 100-plus degree weather and the fiery political rhetoric filling our nation’s airwaves and social media. So let’s take a break—a much-needed humor break—and lower the scorching temperature with a dollop of laughter and perhaps a scoop of our favorite ice cream. In today’s episode, humor columnist and author Jerry Zezima returns to 45 Forward to talk about his latest book, “The Good Humor Man: Tales of Life, Laughter and, for Dessert, Ice Cream.” Jerry is a natural storyteller—he’s been called the “Will Rogers of retirement”—spinning out stories that offer a warm, often unexpected, takes on life as we age. Jerry will offer a smattering of excerpts from his seven books, as well as his thoughts on famous humorists and humor writing over time and generations. His self-deprecating observations and word play will bring a smile to your face (don’t resist it!). Lots of research has shown that humor is good for our longevity. It relieves stress, helps ease anxiety and depression, supports our immune system, helps lower blood pressure, and relaxes our muscles. Good humor is very good for our health—like vegetables or therapy, only much more fun. Especially with Jerry.

Anyone who has gone through the process of signing up for Medicare quickly comes to the same conclusion: It’s complicated! Even if you’re already enrolled, plans and regulations may change, as well as your personal health needs, so it’s a good idea to review your policy every year—long before the annual open enrollment period in the late fall. In today’s episode, James Donnelly, a Certified Medicare Advisor, explains not only Medicare basics, but offers valuable insights and information that cut though the deluge of mailings, phone calls, marketing pitches and commercials we’re exposed to every year. He will talk about how to make sure a plan fits your needs; how you can switch coverage during special enrollment periods (even if you don’t think you can); and how you can qualify for extra financial assistance or programs to help pay for coverage. The host of a regular “Medicare Monday” podcast, James will offer examples of specific scenarios from his wide-ranging experiences, including advice about avoiding Medicare scams. “Where you get the facts matters,” he says. “Education is everything.”

As we enter the second half of the year, it’s a good time to pause and take stock of how we’re feeling about ourselves as we move into the second half of 2024. Are we happy with our life? Well, that’s not really the right question. There’s an unspoken myth that somehow, we “should be happy,” at least most of the time, and when we aren't, we feel like something is wrong—perhaps even something wrong with us. But in today’s episode, Dr. Beth Kurland, a clinical psychologist with three decades of experience, talks about how to stop forcing ourselves to feel “happy” when we’re faced with difficult, uncomfortable emotions that reinforce messages of “not good enough.” Instead, Dr. Kurland, the author of the recently published book, “You Don't Have to Change to Change Everything,” will offer ways we can change our perspective instead of changing ourselves, shifting six “vantage points” to cultivate inner stability, greater awareness of our internal resources, and perhaps most importantly, self-compassion. Rather than strive for happiness, which is dependent on mood, she says, we should seek a deeper well of inner resources that we can draw upon, no matter what life’s circumstances might throw at us, even in our darkest hours. Dr. Kurland will share her own healing journey, and how the six vantage points helped her find ease in the midst of life’s challenges—and how they can become an essential part of our daily well-being toolkit.

For the past several years, nursing homes have come under intense public scrutiny, as more than 200,000 long-term care residents and staff have died due to the COVID pandemic. Healthcare officials, advocates, policy makers and watchdog groups have called for a list of fixes to the industry, such as increased staffing levels, higher pay for nursing home workers, and changes in protocols and safety procedures. But some advocates have been fighting for much bigger changes—a dramatic transformation of the way we deliver long-term residential care. In today’s episode, we talk with Anne Montgomery, a noted policy consultant who has worked for improved access to affordable long-term care services. For more than two decades, Anne has worked on many initiatives as an analyst and policy advisor for government entities and nonprofit organizations, including the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, the Alliance for Health Reform, the U.S. Government Accountability Office and the Altarum Institute. She has wide-ranging experience in developing and evaluating research initiatives, and in designing intersectional projects focused on aging, community issues and long-term care, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and family caregiver supports. Anne is currently working on a ground-breaking national demonstration project to reinvent nursing homes, a proposal known as The EINSTEIN Option (Evaluating Innovation in Nursing Home Systems to End Institutionalization). It’s a disciplined, three-year approach to transforming the long-term care residential sector, from redesigning institutional-style nursing homes as smaller homes or cottages, to rethinking how services are delivered in a continuum of care model. And Anne continues to speak out about aging and ageism issues issues—what they mean for economies and social cohesion around the world.

There are many advocates for older adults these days, but few like Orlene Grant, an iconic leader acclaimed for building innovative partnerships across government entities, higher education, local and national nonprofits. In today’s episode, Ms. Grant, the Founder and CEO of the Juanita C, Grant Foundation, will talk about her organization’s mission to improve the lives of older adults through economic development, education, and training—working collaboratively in the community to address high levels of elder poverty, lack of social connectedness, and financial hardships as a result of elder abuse and fraud. She will spotlight the Foundation’s recent interactive summit, that brought together professionals, thought leaders and industry experts to focus on common issues and solutions to disrupt elder abuse and its damaging long-term effects—tangible steps to interrupt, prevent, and dismantle the exploitation of targeted communities. Ms. Grant, who also founded The Grant Group, a healthcare management consulting firm, will describe her wide-ranging efforts to efforts to improve the quality of life of the 50+ community through economic security and interventions that address ageism through workforce initiatives, advocacy efforts and research. She is indeed a tireless champion for equity in aging and elder justice.

It’s a frequent scenario for older couples or surviving spouses: They find themselves unable to manage the home they’ve lived in for years and realize that, regrettably—but inevitably—it’s time to move on. Sometimes the decision comes suddenly; other times it develops gradually. But when the time comes, homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed with the myriad tasks required to make the move. In today’s episode, we meet Diana Zagariello and Rachel Rohn of Caring Transitions, Senior Certified Relocation and Transition Specialists who provide an broad array of services to seniors experiencing these stressful and emotional circumstances. Diana and Rachel will explain how they help families develop a transition plan to declutter their homes, downsize, organize the move, and perhaps conduct estate sales and design functional floor plans for their new residences. Each plan is different, but they all require empathy and patience, often coordinating services with real estate agents, movers, attorneys, estate planners and other professionals. Ultimately, Diana and Rachel’s goal is to create a streamlined support system, taking care of the details so that people in transition can take care of their loved ones—and themselves.

Just over a year ago, Mae Caime was crowned Ms. New York Senior America for 2023. But the contest was not a beauty pageant. Rather, it was a competition based on talent and presentation skills, and this recognition was a crowning achievement of Mae’s long and illustrious career—one that is still unfolding with originality, excitement and adventure. In today's episode, Mae will unfold her remarkable journey as a visionary in the fields of health and business that has led to her position as CEO of aMAEzing Midlife & Beyond, which she launched to empower women, dispel ageism and support transformational change in both their personal and business paths. Beginning her career as a Registered Nurse in pediatrics and the ER, she leveraged her ability to perform under the most intense situations into a foundation as successful administrator in healthcare, building multimillion-dollar health enterprises, turning struggling organizations into premier practices, creating cohesive team environments, and pioneering new concepts. Indeed, Mae’s portfolio of positions has grown to include action coach, healthy lifestyle expert, corporate trainer, event director and keynote speaker—not to mention her involvement in numerous community charities and worldwide medical missions. There has been much success, but many challenges, too. Mae will share how she has dealt with risk and pushed herself out of her comfort zone—and now supports and encourages women to do the same, stepping out to learn new skills for personal and professional growth. Live with energy, action and purpose, she says, and remember that it is never too late to rise up “from role to soul.”