Aging Life Network

How do you evaluate the unique care needs of your loved one, and what systems do you have in place to assist with the management of their care? Managing care includes medications, appointments, caregiver schedules and the communication of information with other family members. Our guest, Jordan Webster, spent several years working with caregiving families and repeatedly saw their struggle to managing the many moving parts associated with caring for those with complex needs. Jordan and I will discuss the unique needs your family member may require your management and oversight, as well as a system of care that will ensure your loved one’s care is managed well. Don’t re-invent the wheel. Learn about a software system that will make your caregiving role simpler and safer.

Aging Life Care Professionals®, called Geriatric Care Managers for 30+ years, is a professional group that has seen exponential growth as our aging population has mushroomed. Most families in highly populated areas of the country have heard of this unique professional. At a time when many professionals begin to enter the aging world – calling themselves experts, families need to understand what assistance is available and why this particular group of professionals is best qualified to guide you on your journey with your loved ones. Aging Life Care Professionals® are experienced and licensed in a variety of related fields and their expertise can be summarized into eight knowledge areas. Join me as I talk about how an Aging Life Care Manager can benefit you and your family, with Liz Barlowe, owner of Barlowe and Associates, Aging Life Care Manager, and Board President of the national Aging Life Care Association.

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if our brain function could improve as we age! We hear so much about our risk of developing dementia, let’s spend some time to understand more about the science of the brain in terms of brain health and growth. One of the primary tenets of brain health is continuing to learn new things. The science of neuroplasticity and the impact of learning new things on the brain is remarkable. As the founder of Learning Foundations, a Personal Advancement Center in Denver Colorado, my guest, Jennifer Price, MS leads a team of Educational Specialists who support the diverse neurological needs of learners of all ages. Through brain-based research, Jennifer will share insight into the amazing plasticity of our brain and easy ways to take care of our brain, so it stays young and active even into our golden years. Join us to learn how important the connection between brain and gut are and to destroy the myths of an aging brain. Jennifer’s knowledge and experience on priming our brain to learn, remember, and stay sharp will inspire you to take care of your brain in simple ways!

As we complete our Boomer series, I would like to end on a hopeful and uplifting topic and that is creating the life you want. Baby Boomers have been given the gift of a longer life expectancy thanks to modern medicine. For most boomers aging is not so much about getting old as it is a new time of life. Many are asking themselves, “What’s next?”. When we look to what some may term our “third act” or perhaps “fourth act”, who we have become and who we might still want to become is reflected upon. My guest, Rhonda Farrah, will talk with us about aging as an opportunity to fully live the life you have always wanted. She sees this time as offering the potential for transformation and change both inside and out. Her passion for assisting and inspiring others to create the success and life you desire is her life’s work. Rhonda has written several ebooks, and for the past 25 years has worked as a LIFEstyle Empowerment Coach/Alchemist, Author, Speaker, Spiritual Practitioner, and licensed Art of Feminine Presence™. Her philosophy is simple” Identify & Live you deepest Passion while striving for balancer in all areas of your life. Take the time to listen and reflect as I discuss creating the life you want through transformation and change of self with one of our leaders in inspiring and guiding others in a positive direction for betterment.

Baby boomers are the first generation to be responsible for the investment of their savings. Previous generations were mostly covered by defined benefit pension plans where employers made all the investment decisions. Today most baby boomers are invested 60/40 stocks/bonds. This is a mistake for most, says my guest Ron Surz, because baby boomers are in what Ron calls the “Risk Zone”. Ron’s passion is helping his fellow baby boomers at this critical time in their lives when they are relying on their lifetime savings to support a retirement with dignity, so he wrote a book: Baby Boomer Investing in the Perilous 2020s. An industry veteran of 50 years, as well as the host of the Baby Boomer Investing Show, Ron is joining us to discuss many of the concepts and ideas in his book, including the “Four Pillars of Smart Investing” He will share his concern that investment mistakes in this perilous decade of the 2020s could be very costly, especially to baby boomers who should not be gambling their lifetime savings.

Ron’s concerns are related to the following:

• Interest rates have never been lower

• The US government has never printed more money

• Stock prices have never been higher

• The wealth divide in the US has never been wider

It is usually not true when someone says, “It’s different this time”, but Ron will tell you, it IS true this time.

Are you part of the Baby Boom generation? Or are you caring for or have a loved one who is a Boomer? As part of my series focused on Boomers I will be joined today by Daniel Zeman, an author, speaker and exercise physiologist on a mission. Dan will share his unique perspective about health and aging based on more than 40 years in the health, wellness, fitness and sports medicine arenas. His message to male Baby Boomers, captured in his recent book “You’re Too Old To Die Young”, includes looking at the longevity gifted to Boomers by medical advancements that Dan calls the extra Bonus Years. He will share with us his perspective about the choices and consequences that come with those extra years; both the good and bad news for every male Baby Boomer. Join me as we discuss health and wellness of the aging male Boomer.

Are you part of the Baby Boom generation? Or are you caring for or have a loved one who is a Boomer? My guest, Rick Bava, is one of America’s prominent thought leaders on the Boomer generation. His book, “In Search of the Baby Boom Generation” was the culmination of his travels and conversations with Boomers throughout the United States from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds. We will discuss what he learned in his travels about this unique and often talked about group of aging adults. We will talk about the issues this generation is currently facing and/or will be facing as they age in the 21st century.

As a Boomer myself, and only seven days older than Rick, I am very excited to hear what Rick will share with us about my generation and what he sees in our future.

Many studies, conducted around the world, have identified the significant value and importance of connecting youth with seniors. When they serve each other, the lives of the seniors and the youth are greatly enhanced and contribute to overcoming many of the challenges these two groups commonly face, including loneliness, isolation, depression, and suicide. Through serving each other their feelings of self worth and their happiness are increased. Through the act of giving back to the other, both the older adult and the young person are enriched. This was the motivating force behind the development of the non-profit organization Seniors4Seniors. Founder and CEO, Eric Peterson joins me, along with Dr. Jason Powell, Senior Vice President to discuss this unique and innovative program that is bringing meaning to the life of those who participate. We will discuss ways your community can develop such a program that provides mentorship to our youth and offers purpose, meaning and companionship to our seniors.

Driving is probably one of the biggest challenges faced by seniors and those concerned about a loved one as they age. Driving represents independence and freedom in a way few other activities of daily living do. Seniors sometimes feel others are telling them to stop when they simply do not agree it’s a problem. Families plead with primary care physicians and loved ones about safety. Adult children discuss ways of “taking the car keys”. I want to explore some of the signs that will highlight when you should be concerned, discuss ways of approaching the problem and how to determine if now is the time. I will also speak to the risks of putting off addressing the problem. I will be joined by my guest Jenny Nordine, Occupational Therapist and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, who will discuss the ways her program evaluates people’s ability to drive safely. We will talk about what is being evaluated and how families can use such programs as a way to determine one’s ability to continue driving.

Alzheimer’s disease represents 50% of all types of dementia. The next two types most often diagnosed are Vascular dementia and Frontal-Temporal dementia. Vascular dementia can be overlooked because it does not necessarily impair memory or language, thus the observation that your loved one “presents well”. A person with Vascular dementia may score within normal range on most standardized tests given by health care professionals. Those closest to the individual with vascular dementia can be left frustrated and confused about what they are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. You know something is wrong, but you can’t get a diagnosis. Or maybe you’re having trouble getting on board with a family member who is concerned but you don’t understand the problem. My guest, Neurologist Dr. Janice Knoefel, will share with us the science behind vascular dementia, how it is different from an Alzheimer’s type dementia, the common symptoms with this type of dementia and ways of stabilizing the disease process.