Answers For Elders Radio Network

Lori Hutson joins Suzanne to talk about writing memoirs, an intriguing aspect of finding purpose and connection. Lori says, "we all have it in us, in some way or another. The first step is reflecting on our lives, just thinking about as journaling. But also, coming up with a theme to help you focus: what do you want to accomplish with it? I think about my family members — I would have loved it if my dad had written some of these things down."

Lori Hutson joins Suzanne on behalf of Vitality Revolution podcast series gold sponsor Humana. Lori and Suzanne are discussing how to achieve social wellness, one of the eight fundamental principles of wellness. Lori, owner of L.J. Hudson Insurance LLC in Washington, talks about the wellness mindset promoted by Humana.

Hear more:
Lori Hutson episodes on Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/lori-hutson/
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/

Learn more about:
Lori Hutson: https://www.hutsoninsurancesolutions.com/.
The Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori Hutson joins Suzanne on behalf of Vitality Revolution podcast series gold sponsor Humana. Lori talks about seniors traveling and relocating to places like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Portugal, which have a lower cost of living and nice climates. Lower health care costs are an important consideration. The choice to live abroad is affected by health care options, access to providers, affordable plans, availability of ambulance services, and others.

Lori and Suzanne are discussing how to achieve social wellness, one of the eight fundamental principles of wellness. Lori, owner of L.J. Hudson Insurance LLC in Washington, talks about the wellness mindset promoted by Humana.

Hear more:
Lori Hutson episodes on Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/lori-hutson/
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/

Learn more about:
Lori Hutson: https://www.hutsoninsurancesolutions.com/.
The Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many baby boomers are starting new careers, redefining retirement, doing things they always wanted to do. Flexibility is important to many baby boomers, whether they are looking for a new job or to launch their own business in order to make a difference. Lori discusses getting over barriers to move forward. During caregiving downtime, while you're not able to leave the house, you could to take online courses. You could connect with support groups and network. Think about transferable skills you've gained while caregiving, such as organization, leadership, communication skills, adaptability, and problem solving.

Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz said, "Nobody every accomplished anything by listening to naysayers." Think positive. People who say you can't do something are the people who are standing around watching as you do it.

Lori Hutson joins Suzanne on behalf of Vitality Revolution podcast series gold sponsor Humana talking about occupational wellness (having a sense of purpose) and social wellness (connecting with community and culture), two of the foundational principles of wellness. Lori, owner of L.J. Hudson Insurance LLC in Washington, talks about the wellness mindset promoted by Humana.

Hear more:
Lori Hutson episodes on Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/lori-hutson/
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/

Learn more about:
Lori Hutson: https://www.hutsoninsurancesolutions.com/.
The Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family caregivers, caring for a spouse or a senior loved one, are often floundering in the world. A study said 40% of family caregivers leave or lose their jobs due to caregiving. They spend 70% more time on social media than non-family caregivers. Having left careers behind in their late 40s to mid-50s, they lose pensions and long-term-care benefits.

This segment focuses on how to redefine our lives even in the midst of caregiving. Sometimes we discount the skills gained while caregiving. Think about the things that give you passion or joy: hobbies, connecting with others, or eventually potential new careers. Keep an open mind. For Lori, having been in office management, the aftermath of caregiving launched her into a sales career, then now what she's doing with Medicare. Perhaps it's a time to consider correspondence courses. Suzanne had always wanted to plant roses, so during her caregiving downtime she researched and planted a rose garden. Perhaps you always wanted to take a dance class. While caregiving, make time to explore these ideas.

Lori Hutson joins Suzanne on behalf of Vitality Revolution podcast series gold sponsor Humana talking about occupational wellness (having a sense of purpose) and social wellness (connecting with community and culture), two of the foundational principles of wellness. Lori, owner of L.J. Hudson Insurance LLC in Washington, talks about the wellness mindset promoted by Humana.

Hear more:
Lori Hutson episodes on Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/tag/lori-hutson/
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/

Learn more about:
Lori Hutson: https://www.hutsoninsurancesolutions.com/.
The Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Julia Goldie shares success stories as new residents settle into their new circumstances. Julia and Suzanne are discussing Social and Occupational Wellness, part of the Vitality Revolution podcast series sponsored by Humana. Seth is a social wellness expert, a licensed mental health. Julia Goldie is Life Enrichment Director at Era Living's Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, Washington.

Julia says, "I have one resident, she was a little bit on the younger side, and was kind of hesitant to move in at first, and has her own group of friends, and she was an introvert. But once she moved in, she found that she had a whole new new community of peers that she really just immersed herself with. And the change that I saw over the course of a month, where she thought she were going to stay kind of private, but now attends most dinners with the other residents, and goes on tons of outings. One of my favorite outings with her was to the Reptile Museum. You could pay $3 extra — and a whole bunch of our residents did it — and I look over, and there's this snake crawling on her arm. And she says, 'I'm taking pictures so we can send it to all of our friends.'

"We have a great community of artists here. We have a lot of people who dabble in it as interests or hobbies, and then there's the people who don't. And one of our newest residents said, "I'm not an artist. No, I don't do anything having to do with art." Well, a couple of the residents convinced her to come to one of the group art sessions. They are made for all groups, all skill levels, and she came in and she's like, "what do I do?" I said, 'It's gonna be really easy.' I explained the steps, and it was guided step by step. Draw a pattern, draw this. She left there with the biggest smile on her face. She says, 'I'm gonna come to every single one of these. I had an artist locked in me.'"

Hear more:
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/
Era Living episodes: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/

Learn more about:
Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/.
Era Living at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/
Aljoya Thornton Place: http://www.eraliving.com/communities/north-seattle/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Julia Goldie and Seth Hutchins join Suzanne to talk about Social and Occupational Wellness, part of the Vitality Revolution podcast series sponsored by Humana. Seth is a social wellness expert, a licensed mental health therapist in the state of Washington, and Julia is Life Enrichment Director at Era Living's Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle.

In this segment, Julia and Seth address concerns for helping isolated or depressed seniors adapt as they transition to a senior living environment. Every situation is different, but often it's common that they're moving during a major life transition in overwhelming circumstances. Seth says, "We try to be very aware of that, and very sensitive to that. I think that residents are impressed when they find that there is a staff member onsite who is a licensed social worker or therapist. It's a really unique characteristic of Era Living. Obviously they really value mental health; it's important."

Julia adds, "We sit down with every single resident when they first move in. We do an interest portfolio on them. We ask about their background: where they lived, what their hobbies are, what they did for volunteer work, you name it. And if they were married, if they have children, things like that. We do it in a very casual conversational way, so that we get to know them, and then we also give them the opportunity to know us. We look at what their interests are and then we literally go through our activities and find out what points of interest they have. And we explain that more, and we explain which people they can find in those activities. They might have already started establishing some friendships. It's like, hey, there's a bridge game. You love to pray a bridge, and we need a fourth person. All of a sudden you feel that connection. 

"And from there, we are able to kind of take a look and create an individualized kind of plan for them moving forward, and let them know that we're here for them. If they have questions as they get more situated, but it is very individualized. It has to be. And that is where we find the most success in that one-on-one relationship early on."

Hear more:
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/
Era Living episodes: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/

Learn more about:
Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/.
Era Living at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/
Aljoya Thornton Place: http://www.eraliving.com/communities/north-seattle/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Julia Goldie joins Suzanne to talk about Social and Occupational Wellness, part of the Vitality Revolution podcast series sponsored by Humana. Julia Goldie is Life Enrichment Director at Era Living's Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, Washington. Julia helps new residents find purpose and passions by crafting an exciting calendar of activities.

Julia says, "90% of what we offer here is based on what residents interests are, what their passions are, what they want to learn about, where they wanna go, things that they want to see. And I think that's why we see such success with our participation. We offer a lot of variation. You're never gonna see three museum outings in one day. You're gonna see anywhere from 8 to 12 activities a day, every variation of groups sizewise, and you're gonna see things that are focused on art, with lifelong learning. Maybe a couple of times a week, you're going to see music, you're gonna see the resident-led group. Everything from Bridge to book club to the library committee, a little bit of everything each day, that there's one reason why every resident is going to want to get out of their apartment and join something.

"I pay particular attention when planning the calendar to make sure that there's options for people with different disabilities. For example, up in our conference center, we have a hearing loop. So people with hearing loss know that they can attend a lecture up there and still be able to enjoy it because their hearing aid will just go right up into the hearing loop. We have small group discussions where we are very mindful of who signed up for it, because maybe they need a different handout, or maybe we don't use handouts because somebody with vision loss is there. I make sure that there's outings that are accessible to people in wheelchairs, ones for people who are using a walker. I write a very clear description — is there going to be a step? Is there gonna be uneven terrain? Just making sure that it's very, very accessible to everybody.

"We pay super close attention to feedback. Our residents are not shy. We had a wonderful lecturer that comes here that talks about music history, and we had him as a one off. But the interest was so huge that now he comes every single month and packs the room, 85 people, maximum capacity."

Hear more:
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/
Occupational Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/occupational-wellness/
Era Living episodes: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/

Learn more about:
Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/.
Era Living at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/
Aljoya Thornton Place: http://www.eraliving.com/communities/north-seattle/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtesy of Era Living, Seth Hutchins joins Suzanne to talk about Social Wellness, part of the Vitality Revolution podcast series sponsored by Humana. Seth is a social wellness expert, a licensed mental health therapist in the state of Washington working in community mental health, private practice, and senior residents at Era Living retirement communities.

Seth defines social wellness holistically. "Every person might define social wellness differently. Some people are more geared toward being more extroverted, being out in the community and participating, while others may not be wired that particular way. To define what it means for a person, you really have to talk to them, define what it is for them that makes them feel included and supported, and ultimately what makes them thrive."

Most residents moving into senior living are experiencing massive upheavals in their lives, perhaps selling homes that they've lived in for decades. You're having to make a lot of changes in your life as well as taking in a lot of new information, getting settled in, unpacking, meeting residents and staff. Seth guides them, meeting them when they first move in, talk about where they are, talk about his role as a counselor and reassure them they're not alone in this process.

Era Living embraces new residents with ambassadors in their communities, a resident-led welcoming committee. Seth says, "Having residents reach out can provide that special touch, and make them feel more included, provides a hand-on approach."

Hear more:
Social Wellness episodes: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/social-wellness/.
Era Living episodes: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/

Learn more about:
Vitality Revolution podcast series: https://answersforelders.com/vitality-revolution/
Humana: https://www.humana.com/
Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/welcome-to-answers-for-elders/.
Era Living at Answers for Elders: https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
Era Living's website: https://www.eraliving.com/

Answers for Elders is part of the SeniorResource Network: https://www.seniorresource.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get the inside scoop with senior living communities. In this segment, resident Lynn Coulibaly joins Suzanne. She is a retired nurse administrator who resides at Era Living's Aljoya Thornton Place community. She worked at the general hospital in Everett, Washington, and took early retirement when two hospitals merged.

For people considering senior living, Lynn advises, "I imagine that most people have something that they're looking for, so you think about that. Do you need something in the health care side? Most people are given meals to come in and check out the place, and I highly recommend that. But not just to see what kind of food they serve, which is important, but it's the environment where you're served the food, what the dining room is like, because we spend a lot of time in the dining room. That's where you have groups of friends every night, lots of good stories. Certainly the health care side is important, where you check out to see as I age, what's my plan. Most seniors these days have a plan in mind."

Lynn has lived at Aljoia for ten years. "When I started looking [at senior living communities], a friend of mine said she was starting to look, and we were both looking for the future. We thought we were too young to move into a retirement community. And we said, well, let's go look together for the future. We decided to do it together, and Aljoia Thornton Place happened to be the last one. And when we walked in, I guess it was meant to be. This was just for the future, but we had such a good time. They were having an art show and there was a gala and the residents were there, and we felt we were very smart, because we recognized that we needed to find the people with name tags that identified them as not other guests but residents. There was a gentleman sitting on the couch in our library area and we spotted his name tag. So we said, ah, you're a resident. And he said, 'Oh, yes, but I have a girlfriend.' He thought we were hitting on him. That means a lot.

"And then we were browsing through the art show and having nice, lovely glasses of wine with different residents. And they were all very interesting. Suddenly somebody collapsed behind me. And immediately I thought, 'I'm a nurse, they're probably gonna need help.' But it turned out that one of the residents here was a very revered physician. And when I turned around, he was kneeling beside the person who collapsed, and everybody gave them space, and everybody went back to chatting and drinking their wine. The medics came, took him away, and everybody wished him luck and cheered him on. And I thought that's really nice – when I have something happen to me, that's what I want to have happen to me, needed by friends.

"The energy here was so palpable, the good energy, so when we left the building, we said, this is it, this is where we'll move."

Learn more about Aljoya Thornton Place, located at 450 NE 100th St. in Seattle, WA. There's more about Era Living at Answers for Elders and at eraliving.com.

• http://www.eraliving.com/communities/north-seattle/
• https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
• https://www.eraliving.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connie Olstad, a resident of Era Living's Aljoya Thornton Place in Seattle, Washington, joins Suzanne to provide a resident's perspective of what a typical day is like at an Era Living retirement community. Connie's lived there for ten years.

"It's not an easy move. I tell people don't wait till you're ready, because you're never ready to do it. It's difficult. I asked my husband what he missed most, what was the hardest part, and we'd moved into a house with no garden, and he'd built a Japanese garden, and so it was hard for him to leave. We lived in our house for nearly 50 years.

'"But I keep telling friends, don't wait. Move while you can make your own choices. We did a lot of our own moving because we lived five or ten miles away, and we could move a lot of our own things, and we could make the decisions. We didn't have children saying, 'Are you sure you want to take this?' We moved here while we were still young enough to enjoy being here."

Learn more about Aljoya Thornton Place, located at 450 NE 100th St. in Seattle, WA. There's more about Era Living at Answers for Elders and at eraliving.com.

• http://www.eraliving.com/communities/north-seattle/
• https://answersforelders.com/era-living/
• https://www.eraliving.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.