Carrie Naivns of Karried Away with Carrie joins us to talk about her recent group excursion to Costa Rica. Carrie hosts group trips locally and all over the world. Her group, Karried Away with Carrie, is comprised of older adults who want to go on trips locally and abroad and enjoy their lives to the fullest.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucket list and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

In this episode, Lisa interviews Kacie Gikonyo from End of Life Consulting Co., she is an RN who is also a death doula. Lisa and Kacie talk about the importance of being there of the person going through their end of life journey.

They also discuss why Kacie became a Death Doula and how much she loves what she does and how the families come to appreciate her presence during the entire process.

Timestamps

0:00:00 - Intro - Kacie Death Doula
0:05:39 - Kacie is present for entire family during end of life
0:07:25 - Difference between your service and hospice
0:10:29 - What are most Death Doula's backgrounds
0:12:23 - Death with dignity options
0:14:45 - Examples of personal impact of working with clients
0:18:56 - How does a Death Doula get compensated

0:20:20 - Needs of client and family

24:02 - Client expectations

27:03 - Death Doula numbers

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your

Mike Bearce, a retired executive director of a falls practice, was the guest on this episode of A Drop in the Bucket. Even after retirement, Mike Bearce continues to do educational seminars forsenior groups throughout the Chicagoland area, and we're proud to have Mike today.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

In this podcast, Lisa talks with Mark Smolenski, from the company One Trust, who has worked for 25 years in finance and real estate. He has also volunteered his time with several not-for-profit organizations and is currently the president of a local Rotary International club. Mark can be reached at https://onetrusthomeloans.com/contact/msmolenski

During the conversation, Mark explains how reverse mortgages have had a bad name in the past and how he works to educate seniors on the importance of balancing their financial and personal needs. He also shares his experience helping clients navigate important financial decisions and why reverse mortgages can be a beneficial option for seniors.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Exploring the Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage

00:07:53 - Reverse Mortgage Qualifications for Married Couples

00:12:16 - Exploring the Benefits of Reverse Mortgages for Homeowners

00:15:50 - Home Equity Conversion Mortgages as Investment Tools

00:19:27 - Explaining the Benefits and Costs of a Reverse Mortgage Loan

00:27:25 - Utilizing a Reverse Mortgage for Home Purchases

00:28:59 - The Benefits of Owning a Second Home

00:36:43 - A Practical Scenario

00:40:22 - How to Start the Process

Lisa and Gene discuss estate sales, is it worth it, what sells, when to call someone in and FAQ's. Gene Evans can be found on LinkedIn at

In this episode, Lisa welcomes Mary Jo Roberts to A Drop in the Bucket. Mary Jo Roberts is a travel expert with over 30 years of experience in the industry. She is the co-owner of Polaris Travel, a travel agency that specializes in guided tours and destinations around the world. Mary Jo is passionate about helping people create positive and joyful travel experiences.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

Bob Schmitt, owner of Junk Luggers, was the guest on this episode of A Drop in the Bucket. They discussed the staggering number of metric tons of waste created per day in the United States and the importance of keeping waste out of landfills. Bob shared how his background led him to invest in the Junk Luggers franchise and his commitment to the company's mission and goals.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Intro

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

In this episode, Lisa interviews Mary Jensen, a registered dental hygienist with over 40 years of experience. Mary discusses the importance of oral hygiene, especially for seniors, and shares some tips on how to maintain good oral health. Mary also talks about her passion for mission trips, where she has provided dental care on four continents and eight countries.

Mary also talks about her work with Alliance for Smiles, an organization that provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to underserved populations.

Timestamps

0:00:00 - Intro - Oral Hygiene with Mary Jensen

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

In this podcast, Lisa and Tim explore the subject of hospitalization and what to do when a loved one needs to go into the hospital for whatever reason. It begins by discussing the common scenarios and situations of having to go to the hospital and what comes next after that.

The conversation emphasizes that it is important to be proactive in order to prevent shock and surprise. They also talk about creating a roadmap to navigate the inevitable since hospitalization is something that most people will have to deal with at some point.

Timestamps

00:00:00 - Navigating Hospital Discharge: A Roadmap for Proactive Care

00:08:30 - Topic: Understanding Medicare and Medicaid: A Discussion

00:10:27 - Discharge Planning for Hospitalized Patients

00:12:02 - Choosing a Nursing Home Facility

00:16:56 - Exploring Options for Short-Term Rehabilitation

00:28:00 - Differences Between Medical Home Health and Home Care Services

00:35:33 - Supporting a Loved One with Memory Issues: A Conversation with Tim and Lisa

00:40:25 - Navigating Senior Care Options

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.

In this episode, Lisa Stover interviews Alice Wood, an attorney and author of three books on financial literacy. Alice shares her expertise on creating a simple estate plan that everyone should have. The must-haves for an estate plan include a will, power of attorney, health care directive, and beneficiary designations.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00  Alice Wood: The Perfect Estate Plan

00:03:37  The Importance of Estate Planning Documents

00:07:00  The Importance of a Power of Attorney for Healthcare

00:10:30  The Importance of a Will or Living Trust

00:13:30  The Five Must-Have Documents for Estate Planning

00:19:27  The Benefits of Creating a Trust

00:24:30  Financial Literacy for Those Who Have Experienced a Brain Injury

00:27:30  Wealth Watchers: A Conversation with Alice Wood

00:29:00  The Importance of Disability Insurance

00:35:57  Keeping track of original documents.