Aging Starts Now

Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice, but many families still have questions about the process, costs, and what happens to their loved one's remains.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin welcomes Tammy Friedman, owner and Family Care Coordinator with Choice Cremation, to answer some of the most common—and sometimes uncomfortable—questions about cremation.

What is the difference between direct cremation and traditional cremation? How can families be certain they're receiving their loved one's remains? Who has the legal authority to make cremation decisions? And what options are available for honoring and memorializing someone after cremation?

Tammy explains the safeguards in place, potential costs, common misconceptions, and why discussing and documenting your final wishes can spare your family unnecessary stress and difficult decisions.

Whether you're planning ahead or helping a loved one navigate end-of-life arrangements, this episode offers practical information and peace of mind.

Aging Starts Now is brought to you by Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, helping families navigate the legal, financial, and personal challenges of aging.

What happens when the retirement you imagined suddenly looks nothing like the life you’re living?

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis talks with Susan Haig, author of Life Like a Sunflower, about resilience, self-advocacy and finding joy after two life-changing health diagnoses.

Just two years into retirement, Susan suffered a “widowmaker” heart attack after months of knowing something wasn’t right and seeking answers from multiple doctors. Less than a year later, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Susan shares the symptoms she experienced before her heart attack, why she believes it is so important to advocate for yourself when something doesn’t feel right, and how her Parkinson’s diagnosis changed the way she approaches each day.

She also shares the inspiration behind her book, Life Like a Sunflower, and her message about turning toward the people, experiences and things that bring light and joy—even during life’s difficult seasons.

Listen to this inspiring conversation about adapting when life changes unexpectedly, trusting yourself and making the most of the life you have today.

You can check out Susan's blog here: https://somethingsweetwithsusan.com/

Medicare Open Enrollment is here—but even if you’re happy with your current coverage, should you still take a closer look?

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel talks with Johnson McGinnis Medicare Specialist Tyler McCullar about what you need to know during Medicare Open Enrollment. They discuss the difference between enrollment periods, what changes you can make, why it’s important to review your prescription drug coverage every year, and what to consider before switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

They also tackle Medicare scams and aggressive sales tactics, including how to recognize suspicious calls and why you should be cautious about giving personal information to unsolicited callers.

Most importantly, Tyler explains why reviewing your current coverage—even if you don’t plan to make a change—can help you understand what to expect in the coming year.

Listen now and head into Medicare Open Enrollment with greater confidence.

When a parent needs nursing home care, one of the first questions families often ask is: “Are we going to have to sell Mom’s house to pay for care?”

The answer may not be as simple—or as frightening—as you think.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel talks with attorney Josh Hunter of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning about how Tennessee Medicaid (TennCare) treats the family home and what families need to understand before selling, gifting, or transferring property.

They discuss:

• Whether the family home counts as an asset for Medicaid eligibility

• The difference between Medicaid eligibility and estate recovery

• How having a spouse or disabled child in the home can affect planning

• Why simply transferring the house to your children can create serious problems

• The caregiver-child exception and other potential protections

• What options may still be available when nursing home care is needed now

• Why families should get advice before making major decisions involving the home

If you’re worried about paying for long-term care and protecting the family home, this episode can help you understand the questions to ask before making a move that could affect TennCare eligibility.

When you hear the word “trust,” do you immediately think of wealthy families and large inheritances? Trusts can actually be useful estate planning tools for many different people and situations.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel talks with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning attorney Josh Hunter about what a trust is, how it works, and how to determine whether one might make sense for you and your family.

Josh explains the differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts, how trusts can help avoid probate, when they may provide asset protection, and how they can be used when planning for minor children or loved ones with disabilities. He also discusses the important role of the trustee, how trusts and powers of attorney work differently, and one of the biggest mistakes people make—creating a trust but never properly funding it.

Most importantly, you’ll learn why the better question may not be, “Do I need a trust?” but rather, “What are my goals, and is a trust the right tool to accomplish them?”

Finding the right resources and support can be overwhelming for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Sumner County Special Needs Collaborative is working to make that journey easier by connecting families with information, resources and one another.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Pati Bedwell, Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, talks with Lorraine Looney, founder of the Sumner County Special Needs Collaborative. Lorraine shares the personal experience that inspired her to start the organization and explains how it supports individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the lifespan.

Learn about the Collaborative’s resource directory, community events, caregiver retreats and efforts to connect families with services at critical points—from diagnosis and the school years to the transition into adulthood. Lorraine also shares how community members, businesses and professionals can get involved and why inclusion benefits everyone.

If you know a family navigating the special needs journey, this is an episode worth sharing.

Finding a place to belong can make all the difference.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Erin Keogh- Rankin, Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, welcomes Susie Turner, Director of Special Needs at First Baptist Hendersonville, for a conversation about creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences.

Susie shares how programs like Special Friends and Peer Place are helping participants build friendships, develop confidence, stay active, and experience a true sense of community. They also discuss resources for families, respite opportunities, volunteering, and ways the community can get involved.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, potential volunteer, or simply want to learn more about resources available to individuals with special needs, this episode offers an inspiring look at what can happen when a community makes belonging a priority.

Listen now and learn more about the people and programs making a difference in Middle Tennessee.

For more episodes and free resources from Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, visit tn-elderlaw.com.

Losing a loved one is difficult enough. Figuring out what needs to happen next can make an already overwhelming time even harder.

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel, Outreach Coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with attorney Josh Hunter to discuss the practical steps families should take after a loved one passes away.

From what to prioritize in the first 24 to 48 hours to notifying Social Security, locating the original will and other estate planning documents, handling bills and determining whether probate may be necessary, Josh walks listeners through some of the important decisions families may face.

They also discuss common mistakes that can create unnecessary legal or financial complications—and why taking the time to create a thoughtful estate plan now can make things easier for the people you love later.

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, are helping someone settle an estate, or simply want to be better prepared for the future, this episode offers practical information to help you know where to begin.

Learn more about Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning and find additional resources at tn-elderlaw.com.

Probate can be confusing—especially when a family is already dealing with the loss of a loved one. What actually goes through probate? Who pays the bills? What happens to debts? And what should a family do first?

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning attorney Ryan Hicks to answer some of the most common questions families have about the probate process.

Ryan explains what probate is, which assets may avoid probate, how funeral expenses and other bills can be handled, how creditor claims work, and what happens when an estate doesn’t have enough money to fulfill every gift in a will. He also discusses probate costs, revocable living trusts, and several common mistakes families should avoid after a loved one passes away.

Most importantly, Ryan shares some of the first steps families should take before making major legal or financial decisions.

If you’re settling a loved one’s estate—or thinking ahead about how to make things easier for your own family—this episode offers practical information to help you better understand the process.

Learn more or schedule a consultation with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning at

www.tn-elderlaw.com or call 615-824-2571.

Subscribe to Aging Starts Now and share this episode with someone who may benefit from the conversation.

Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also feel incredibly isolating. When the responsibility of caring for someone you love becomes overwhelming, where can you turn to connect with someone who truly understands?

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Henschel talks with Tim Otis, founder of Empaira, an emotional support network created to help caregivers connect with other caregivers in a safe, anonymous space.

Drawing from his own experiences caring for his mother and later his father following a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Tim shares why he created Empaira and how peer-to-peer support can help caregivers feel seen, heard, and less alone.

Dana and Tim discuss caregiver burnout and isolation, the importance of emotional support, Empaira's anonymous and personalized communities, quick “Moments” designed to help caregivers manage the emotional weight of caregiving, and the need for accessible, localized resources.

Most importantly, this conversation offers a reminder every caregiver needs to hear: caring for yourself matters, too.

Learn more about the resources available from Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning at tn-elderlaw.com.

Subscribe to Aging Starts Now and share this episode with someone navigating the challenges of caregiving, aging, disability, or unexpected illness.