Aging in Style with Lori Williams

It’s a beautiful thing when we cater to people with different needs – and can help make daily life enjoyable for everyone. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s today, and with Alzheimer’s being as prevalent as it is, it’s important that businesses and pillars of our community recognize and understand the disease. This is why Erin Caston has worked tirelessly, along with a board of like-minded local senior living professionals to create a Denton County chapter of Dementia Friendly America. This non-profit initiative educates businesses and different sectors of the community - restaurants, financial institutions, churches, etc. to better support those with dementia and their caregivers. They can earn a Dementia Friendly decal to put in their window, identifying them as business that recognizes those with dementia and treats them with respect.

As people with dementia progress in their disease, it’s common for them to isolate at home and retreat from the people and activities they knew. That’s why it’s such a gift when businesses are aware and accommodating of those with different needs - helping them return to activities that may enhance their longevity and joy. That’s why Dementia Friendly’s goal is to help them feel valued and wanted while respecting their needs.

Topics discussed:

- Dementia and Alzheimer’s

- Dementia Friendly

- Senior activities

- Alzheimer’s / Dementia education

- Community outreach

- Dementia-friendly businesses

- Senior-friendly restaurants

Takeaways from this episode:

- One way to think of Alzheimer's and dementia is ‘brain failure,’ similar to how we view heart and kidney failure. Those who live with it still have moments of clarity and know their brain isn’t functioning as it was.

- Dementia Friendly prioritizes giving banks educational resources to prevent fraud and help employees recognize potential signs of dementia, along with phone numbers for support.

- One way for restaurants to support patrons with Alzheimer’s and dementia is to find ways to adapt, such as by amending their menu, so there are fewer choices, and to approach them slowly and calmly.

- Faith-based support at churches is often important to older generations. Finding ways to welcome those with dementia and adjust to their needs, such as by shortening the service and involving music, is beneficial.

- If you can continue to engage those with dementia and their loved ones in your community, then they're spending money on your business, which helps the local economy.

- The Dementia Friendly: Denton County kickoff is May 25, 2022 at the Flower Mound Senior Center, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Resources discussed:

Dementia Friendly America Website – find a local chapter:

https://www.DFamerica.org

Contact Dementia Friendly Denton County:

[email protected].

Join ‘Dementia Friendly Denton County’ on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DementiaFriendlyDentonCounty

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

With the right tools and support, anyone can overcome barriers and have a life worth living. That’s the goal of occupational therapists – like guest Heidi Huynh, OTR, CTRS.

Heidi is an occupational therapist that has spent years working with adults in their 50s and into their 100s in a variety of settings, including senior living. Occupational therapy involves helping you do anything you want or need to do safely, more easily, and independently. This is especially important for seniors who need help around the home, especially after hospital visits or injury.

With Senior Services Expert Lori Williams, she discusses:

- The ins and outs of occupational therapy

- Medicare insurance coverage

- The importance of mindset during recovery (and in life)

- Modifications and tools to stay more independent

- And more

Occupational therapy may sound like it just involves your occupation or job, but it’s about helping you adapt to daily tasks. Going to the bathroom, taking a shower, even walking around your home are tasks that occupational therapists make safer for seniors.

With Heidi’s tools, you’ll have ideas of ways to better equip yourself and find the professional help you need.

Topics discussed:

- Occupational therapy

- Home safety for seniors

- Senior independence

- Outcomes for positive, purpose-driven mindsets

- Outpatient therapy

- Skilled nursing facilities

- Walkers, shoehorns and safety bars

- Medicare coverage for occupational therapy

Takeaways from this episode:

- Occupational therapists can provide home visits to strengthen you to perform daily tasks, while adjusting your environment so you can do what you need to, safely.

- It may be tough initially to start using tools like walkers, but it restores quality of life by allowing you to be independent and partake in daily activities.

- Occupational therapy must be ordered by a physician, but is typically covered by Medicare.

- There are differently qualifying factors for home health versus occupational therapy, and they’re covered by different parts of Medicare.

- If you have Medicare Parts A and B and your occupational therapy is medically necessary, you have an unlimited amount of therapist visits.

Resources from this episode:

Ascend Therapy services:

https://weagewithpurpose.com/links

[email protected]

How to senior proof a home, on a weekend:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/2541015a/077-want-to-senior-proof-a-home-on-a-budget-on-a-weekend-follow-these-steps

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast, please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

I have an announcement to share with you, and I hope you’ll be as excited as I am.

If this podcast has a theme, it’s that you’re never too old to try something new and find your purpose. That purpose will sustain you and create a ripple effect of good in the world.

I’m finding myself having to practice what I preach as I start my newest journey: writing a book.

There are now nearly 100 episodes of this podcast. Through all the interviews, guests, and personal stories I’ve shared, there’s a treasure trove of tips for people who want to learn about topics pertaining to aging - from senior living to Medicare, and even skydiving for seniors.

It’s important that everyone has access to this information in a variety of mediums. My book will help provide a written resource for those who are aging and their loved ones.

But it won’t stop there. Reach out to let me know what your questions are and what you’d like to learn more about! I look forward to providing a comprehensive resource for you.

Takeaways from this episode:

- There’s a lot of confusion about senior living and what services are available. People also worry their lives are over once they retire. This podcast addresses these questions.

- Imposter syndrome is when you mistakenly worry you don’t know what you’re doing, that no one will listen to you, and that you don’t have anything to offer. Don’t listen to that inner voice and keep going to reach your goals.

Topics discussed:

- Senior services

- Questions about senior living

- Senior books

- Writing a book

- Imposter syndrome

- Finding purpose as we age

Send me any questions, ideas, or thoughts for my book at [email protected] or https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com.

Anxiety can happen to anyone, regardless of age.

However, it can show up in different ways, in different intensities, at different times, among different genders. The conversation around anxiety has also become much more open in newer generations than in the past.

Still, anxiety isn’t discussed often enough – particularly in senior circles. That’s why Senior Living Expert Lori Williams invites ‘The Anxiety Sisters’ Abbe Greenberg and Maggie Sarachek to share their experiences. Authors of The Anxiety Sisters Survival Guide, they’re trained counselors, mental health advocates and anxiety sufferers themselves, with an online community of more than 220,000 in 200+ countries.

Together they discuss:

· Their journey with anxiety and how they became ‘The Anxiety Sisters’

· The anxiety spectrum and different ways it manifests

· Causes of anxiety

· Anxiety management techniques

And more.

Topics discussed:

- Anxiety / Generalized Anxiety Disorder

- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

- Medication and SSRIs

- Panic attack tips

- Hoarding

- Anxiety causes

- Anxiety and aging

Takeaways from this episode:

- The stress ‘fight, flight, or freeze’ response is the biological cause of anxiety. Hormones, medications, dementia, isolation and genetics can also impact anxiety levels.

- Though women are supposedly 2x as likely to suffer from anxiety, men may not report (or understand) their anxiety, or they redirect their anxiety as anger / rage since it’s more socially accepted.

- Instead of trying to avoid anxiety altogether, it’s helpful to prepare for it. Carry a bag with different items inside to calm your senses, like lavender fabric, photos, or medication. That way you're ready if a panic attack strikes.

- Be aware of how antidepressants or SSRIs can interact with any drugs you’re taking, and discuss health concerns and effects with your doctor.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Anxiety Sisters' Survival Guide:

https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Sisters-Survival-Guide-Connected/dp/B08ZJT2PMZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=O43LG9Y2O1FE&keywords=anxiety+sisters+survival+guide&qid=1651087146&sprefix=anxiety+sisters%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-1

The Spin Cycle with The Anxiety Sisters Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spin-cycle/id1223800972

The Anxiety Sisters' Website:

https://anxietysisters.com/

https://www.facebook.com/anxietysisters

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast, please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

It’s here - the Alzheimer’s Association has released the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. This annual report is released every March and serves as a statistical resource detailing the prevalence of the disease, as well as surrounding context.

Tanesha Tyler-Carr from the Alzheimer’s Association: Dallas and Northeast Texas chapter returns to the podcast to provide an overview of the 2022 statistics and important takeaways.

More than 6 million Americans are impacted, and by 2050, it’s projected to rise to 13 million.

With such a scope, the facts are undeniable: Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis that has individual, societal, and even economic implications.

Knowing that, it’s important to know how to get diagnosed and what to do if you or a loved one is affected.

Topics discussed:

-Alzheimer’s

-Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

-Dementia

-Statistics for Alzheimer’s

-Alzheimer’s Association

-COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s

-Diagnosing Alzheimer’s

-What to do after you’re diagnosed

Takeaways from this episode:

- 11 million Americans are providing unpaid care for their loved ones that add up to 16 billion hours of care, valued at nearly $272 billion dollars.

-Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a form of dementia and about 1/3 of those diagnosed with MCI may develop Alzheimer’s-related dementia within 5 years. Many physicians consider MCI a precursor.

-If you suspect you or a loved one has dementia, go to your doctor for a referral to a specialist or geriatrician for testing and scans.

-If you’re diagnosed, don’t wait to plan for the future – it will only be more difficult if you wait until you’re in crisis mode or your abilities change.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Download Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures and the infographic:

www.alz.org/facts

How brain fitness can slow down dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/3a1051ca/075-how-brain-fitness-slows-down-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Department of Disability services:

https://www.usa.gov/disability-services

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA):

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/area-agencies-aging-aaa

Table talk:

https://alz-org.zoom.us/rec/share/WDXXQkMq_qD6FjJPWyYfAfrO06y8grJl7zsEgHaGSL-CmE-VcG8RcP5EpWZI_9Ry.ThRfOOXcWu_mk556

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Remember the old Life Alert commercials - “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up”? The tool remains groundbreaking and provides peace of mind for many seniors and their loved ones - and now technology has advanced even further to help seniors remain safe and independent.

Bonnie Resnick-Destruel is the owner and president of Family Care Services Inc. They provide GPS fall alert medical alarms and medical dispensers for private pay, Medicaid, STARPLUS and waiver programs. Together with Senior Living Expert Lori Williams, she discusses:

- Devices that help seniors stay protected from falls and how they function

- Medication dispensers - how they work and provide emergency response

- What to look for when considering these tools

And more.

The rights tools can be a great investment to help you or your loved ones remain independent and even save money you’d otherwise spend on assisted living.

Takeaways from this episode:

- The biggest risk to seniors’ safety and independence after age 65 is falling. The longer you lay there without someone finding you, the worse it is.

- Never sign a contract - in this industry it should be month to month. Ask what’s in the basic package and what add-ons come with the upgrade to get a better idea of what you need.

- Medicine dispensers can call you or your emergency contact if you haven't taken your medicine. This helps check on your wellbeing in case something's happened, and that's why you haven't taken your medicine.

- You could be covered for these medical devices under Medicaid and with certain health condition diagnoses.

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

To purchase the products mentioned and to find more resources:

https://www.familycaresrv.com

Caring Transitions - helping seniors downsize and move easily:

https://www.caringtransitions.com

To contact Bonnie, please email:

[email protected]

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast, please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Topics discussed:

- Senior safety

- Medicine dispensers

- Medic Alert

- Emergency response systems

- Fall safety

- Medicaid

- Silver Roofs Foundation

It’s estimated that Parkinson’s disease affects 1 million Americans. Ninety-six percent are diagnosed after age 50, and the incidence of disease increases with age. Since April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Senior Services Expert Lori Williams welcomes the CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation, John Lehr.

John discusses:

- What Parkinson’s disease is + the symptoms

- The potential causes

- Treatment plans and the importance of a care partner

- Important resources for those with Parkinson’s

John draws from the wealth of knowledge from the Parkinson’s Foundation for a comprehensive, compassionate look at the disease. He echoes the purpose of the foundation: educating people with Parkinson’s as well as their care partners / families on what they can expect, and how to live as well as they possibly can.

Takeaways from this episode:

- Early symptoms of Parkinson’s affect movement, but other body systems are affected: cognition, mental health, GI, sleep, senses, and more. Everyone is impacted differently.

- Parkinson’s disease has unknown causes, but there’s a genetic and potential environmental component (such as exposure to napalm in the Vietnam War).

- Treatments for Parkinson’s include deep brain stimulation, dopamine replacement therapy, exercise, and trying new things to keep the brain active and create new circuitry.

- Outcomes for Parkinson’s are much improved when a care partner is involved and the patient takes medication regularly, exercises and tries new activities.

Topics discussed:

- Parkinson’s disease

- Symptoms of Parkinson’s

- The Parkinson’s Foundation

- Causes and treatment of Parkinson’s

- Parkinson’s tremors

- Dopamine / mental health

- Care partners

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Parkinson's Foundation:

https://www.parkinson.org

Parkinson's Toll number:

1 800 4PD INFO

Parkinson's Revolution initiative:

https://www.parkinson.org/get-involved/revolution

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Planning a funeral may not be the most fun topic to bring up, but it’s such an important gift for your loved ones. Having a plan helps take care of those who live on after you die, and that generous labor of love is the focus of The Love Always Project.

Dean Lambert founded Love Always with a team of experienced subject-matter experts after 30 years of working alongside funeral professionals. The goal is to encourage people at a grassroots level to think more positively and proactively about end-of-life. Members get a treasure trove of content to help them think through arranging their funerals ahead of time.

With Dean as a guest, you’ll learn about:

- The Love Always Project and the inspiration for its creation

- End-of-life planning trends: Average age / costs, cremation vs. burial, and more

- Different financial and logistical considerations

- And more

Having a plan helps eliminate stress for your loved ones to grieve when it’s your time to go. Knowledge is the first step to helping them.

Takeaways from this episode:

- Often the trigger for people to think about funerals is when someone they know has passed.

- You’re doing the right thing when you discuss end-of-life plans and to encourage your loved ones to talk about it. This helps everyone get on the same page and avoid conflict after death.

- Your brain cannot function normally while grieving, and funerals can average around $5,500 - $6,000. That’s why it’s helpful to know loved ones’ plans ahead of time.

- Look into final expense insurance, trust products and products funeral directors offer to offset inflation. Once you have a plan, let people know as if it were an Advanced Directive or will.

- Cremation is becoming increasingly popular because of the lower price and different options for handling remains.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Visit Lovealwaysproject.org

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Topics discussed:

- Funeral planning

- The Love Always Project

- Cremation vs. burial

- Preparing financially for funerals

- Funeral stats

- Considerations for funeral planning

Two-thirds of people diagnosed with dementia are women. Plus, 13 million women in the U.S. either live with Alzheimer’s themselves or are caring for someone who has it.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s expert Tanesha Tyler-Carr is back to discuss these statistics during Women’s History Month. As programs and services coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association Dallas and Northeast Texas Chapter, she draws from her experience to discuss:

-Alzheimer’s and women

-Women as caregivers

-10 warning signs to look out for

Women often take on added responsibility as “sandwich generation” caregivers – that is, caring for their children as well as aging loved ones. This position can cause increased stress and the tendency to put their own health on the back burner. It’s important to stay on top of your health no matter your situation.

Topics discussed:

-Dementia and Alzheimer’s

-Women with Alzheimer’s

-Female caregivers

-Women’s health

-Low-income caregiving resources

Takeaways from this episode:

-Warning signs of Alzheimer’s includes short-term memory loss, extreme personality changes, and extreme changes in routine that causes significant disruption to everyday life.

-Care consultation is a free service offered by the Alzheimer’s Association, offering information about programs and services and one-on-one conversations about referrals and care plans.

-To apply for discounted or free aid, try reaching out to agencies at the beginning of the fiscal year, when there’s more funding available.

-Go through Social Security Administration to get paid as a caregiver and see if your loved one qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance.

-Self-care is vital: You can’t care for someone else as effectively when you don’t care for yourself first.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Get 24/7 support from the Alzheimer’s Association:

1-800-272-3900

10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Department of Disability services:

https://www.usa.gov/disability-services

Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/area-agencies-aging-aaa

To suggest a topic, be a guest or to support the podcast please email [email protected]

For more senior resources and to sign up to the newsletter please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/LoriWilliamsSeniorServices/

https://www.instagram.com/theloriwilliams/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theloriwilliams/

https://loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/

Lao Tzu once said the journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step. This aligns perfectly with the belief system and practices of Dr. Rosie Kuhn, author of Aging like a Guru: Who, Me? As a transformational coach and the principal of the Paradigm Shifts coaching group, she empowers aging adults to step out of their comfort zone by making small, conscious choices.

Rather than fearing old age, Dr. Rosie encourages you to live vibrantly and with intention. She joins Senior Services Expert Lori Williams to discuss prevailing attitudes about aging as well as:

-Understanding your mindset and how it can affect your well-being

-Conquering fear in small, incremental steps

- Feeling empowered to change – at any time, big or small – and that we all have the capacity at any age

And more.

You have the choice to either decline or expand your world as you age – and it’s your choice.

Takeaways from this episode:

- The slowest form of suicide is when we’re doing something other than the uplifting of our own spirit.

- 3 things vitally important to our psyche is having purpose, meaning, and connection with the world around us.

- Be your own role model and the poster child for vitality. The more we live a certain way, the more we become a representation of it.

- To improve your life, ask yourself 4 questions: What do you want? What’s in the way? What needs to shift to get out of the way? What do we practice?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Brain Health:

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/3a1051ca/075-how-brain-fitness-slows-down-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease

'The most inspirational senior I know':

https://www.loriwilliams-seniorservices.com/aging-in-style-podcast/episode/57a002ea/060-96-years-young-world-war-ii-vet-the-most-inspirational-senior-i-know-meet-doug-brown

Aging Like a Guru:

https://www.amazon.com/Aging-Like-Guru-Who-Me/dp/0990815137

Radical Remission book:

https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Remission-Surviving-Cancer-Against/dp/0062268740/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1443037953&sr=1-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=30-622-2-20&linkId=6980ef38fea4b7194412bcfdf5b05d86

Inward Bound Bootcamp for self-transformation:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEEtDrzVGfPMvGIB3QElPsA

Topics discussed:

Attitudes about aging

Mindfulness

Getting out of your comfort zone

Positive mindset

Conquering fear