Answers For Elders Radio Network

Health care is expensive, and that transcends over to senior living. For many Baby Boomers, senior living has almost been priced out of their reach. One couple in Washington state lives in a nice community, but it costs $15,000 a month, and those funds go fast. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to consider the general costs of senior care like assisted living or senior living vs. remodeling to help make our homes safer.

Paul says, "I can help, go in, analyze a home, and maybe somebody has a disability right now and they're having trouble, say, moving up and down the stairs, and they only have one handrail. Well, okay, so let's add a second handrail. That can be a matter of a few thousand dollars — adding something to make it safer, so that you don't fall stairs, which then leads you to have to go into a care facility. I mean, you can spend $2,000 on something, or you can spend $10,000 on an ambulance ride. It doesn't add up to not try to age in place in your home. The longer you can continue to live in your home, and make it safe for yourself, the less financial burden you're going to face.

"We're talking about projects, and trying to make home safer, and maybe we're remodeling bathrooms. And those numbers are pretty shocking where you're going to get a $50- to $100,000 [quote for that]. But you can spend it rather quickly if you're if you're in a facility. And it's a one-time cost. Remodeling your home should be a one-time cost. Whereas the other one's a financial burden."

What's an average cost for updating a bathroom? Paul says, "Usually it's a shower modification. They're going to be in the $30,000 range and go up from there... I love doing those because it's not as invasive of a remodel. I'm talking just a tub swap. I minimizes the trip hazard... or a shower with a curb that you have to step up and over. You're minimizing that trip hazard. It's amazing like how many clients I've had over the years that potentially one day wake up, and they've had a stroke or something, and they lose function of their left foot right there. So not having to step up and over is very helpful. It's just all these things that we have no control over sometimes."

Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a specialty towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.

Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.

Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association website

Visit Answers for Elders

Mentioned in this episode:

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

55% of seniors falls happen inside the home, and many are preventable with modifications. 69% of seniors say that technology helps them stay independent. And 24 million Americans are unpaid family caregivers, which could mean an adult child or a spouse. One of the things that we are seeing is that the spouse gets so stressed out taking care of a loved one that they end up dying before the loved one does. Living in a place where there's less stress, more functionality, makes things easier. Aging-in-Place specialist Paul Kocharhook, President of Pathway Design + Construction, joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to share examples of universal design: reducing clutter, improving safety, accessibility, and using technology so that we can continue to live in our homes as we age gracefully.

For example, Paul says, "We've had homes where we have, say, one spouse that is blind and one is deaf. If there's a fire in the home, how do we adapt to both of those issues. One can't see a strobe light, and the other one can't hear the alarm. So we're putting in combinations, strobe light plus the audible noise, or sometimes it's even vibration. If they carry their phone around with them on a consistent basis, or they might have some sort of a device that they also have with them, that might just notify them of an issue within the home.

"I've heard from clients, 'I don't want a ramp in the front of my house because I don't want to make myself noticeable to somebody driving by who would then potentially take advantage of me.' How do we how do we use technology that's available to us to put a lift in the home? Get us down to the garage level, or something like that, because you still want to keep your car in the garage, right?

"We talked about induction cooktops, or locations of dishwashers. Bending over as you get older is not as easy. When there's two of you living in the home, then you don't need that big dishwasher. So we do a half dishwasher, and that's raised up, so that it's high enough so you're not having to bend over to pull your dishes in and out. It's fantastic for somebody in a wheelchair as well. Makes it very accessible.

"Are there other things that we've done for technology wise – different types of outlets. So if you are in a wheelchair, sometimes [an outlet] isn't where you can access it easily. We can drop them into drawers or countertops now, as opposed to a back wall. Touch faucets are pretty awesome as well. You don't have to manually turn knobs, we can just touch it and turn it off and turn it on. And those are fantastic whether you have a disability or not. You're [preparing] chicken in the kitchen, you don't want to touch the faucet, so you just touch with the back of your hand."

Pathway Design + Construction is a residential remodeling company that serves the Greater Seattle Puget Sound region in the state of Washington. With a speciality towards aging in place, Pathway tries to help you continue to evolve and live in your home long into the future.

Visit PathwayDC.com or call 206-937-4809 for more information. If you're in the Seattle area, mention Answers for Elders to get a free consultation. Paul will come out, check out your home, make sure that it is safe, and talk about different potential projects, whether for now or in the future.

Pathway on YouTube | National Homebuilders Association website

Visit Answers for Elders

Mentioned in this episode:

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

95% of baby boomers have a high goal to stay in their own home and find ways to be safe, or maybe downsize into a smaller place if you've got a home that is too big for you. If you are interested yourself, aging in place, or maybe you have a parent that says 'I am not I am not going to senior living, I want to stay at home as as I age,' this episode is for you. Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.

Kevin says, "I think about the first book I wrote, called A Swiss Army Knife for Retirement Cash Flow. And basically what I did is I interviewed my clients and just asked, how has a reverse mortgage helped you? There's just so many stories of how it's allowed them to have a better quality of life. And some of the stories, honestly, were heartbreaking, because people were living a substandard existence in retirement because they're on a fixed income. Inflation has been a real thing in the last few years. Prices have gone up, and then we get small little increases from Social Security that don't really cover the higher expenses they have.

"And so here's the struggle. The number one fear a senior has is outliving their money, because baby boomers are healthy, they're living longer. They have a fixed amount of money. They don't know how long that's gonna last. They're not sure if they're going to run out of money. So what I tell people is, no, you may never need it, but why not get it and let it just sit there. And if you ever do need it – in fact, there's a lady and her husband closed today, and that's exactly what she said. This is just the safety net for us. They may never need it. Well, good for you for planning ahead and being ready just in case life smacks upside the head. Now you need a new roof, or you have a medical thing. Something happens where now you've got a chunk of money to access if you need it."

💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.

💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews

💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan

✨ Visit Answers for Elders online

Mentioned in this episode:

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin goes through the math to show how it was better for one family to stay in their home rather than downsizing to an apartment. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.

Kevin says, "It really is a financial tool. It's a lot more than a mortgage. It's a lot more than a traditional mortgage. With a mortgage, you pay a payment. You stay in your house. Right. Reverse mortgage. You don't have to pay a payment. You stay in your house. You get access to your equity, grows tax free on a line of credit when you access the money by lump sum payments. That's also tax free. So it just gives people flexibility. It just gives them this peace of mind, the safety net, that, okay, I'm going to be okay. I have enough money and not to worry.

"I had a couple, probably nine years ago now, and they said, we're going to sell our house and rent — And I grew up in a real estate home in Southern California. My dad was a realtor and an investor, and he drilled it into my brother and I to buy a house as soon as you can, you're paying your landlord's mortgage. — And so I said, let me do the math to see if that's a good option for you. So I took the average rent in in our city, which I think for a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment was $1,200 dollars at the time. And it increased by 2% a year. They were 62. I did it for 25 years because a financial planner says plan on living 30 years in retirement. But I did 25 years, and then I calculated the depreciation that they would forfeit on the house if they sold it. I use 4% a year. Wow. That number came up to — are you ready? — $1.5 million.

"I said, look, if I were you, it's not my money. It's not my house, you do whatever you want, but these are the numbers. You're forfeiting this amount of equity. You're paying this amount of rent. You're giving up control. You're allowing your landlord to determine what he's going to fix if he's going to fix it versus you keeping your home and having access to the equity if you need it. It's a lot better, a lot more security, a lot more certainty if you stay in your home. You do whatever you want, it's your home. But I just want you to understand the math behind it."

💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.

💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews

💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan

✨ Visit Answers for Elders online

Mentioned in this episode:

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin explains how the value of your home's equity can help you age in place in your later years through a reverse mortgage. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.

Kevin says, "Most people have the bulk of their net worth, probably two thirds or more of their net worth, in their home. There are three ways we can get to our equity. We can sell – pay the broker 6 percent – do a cash out refinance or home equity line of credit with a monthly mortgage payment. Or we can do a reverse mortgage, in which we have an optional payment, but have access to the equity.

"So the way it works is, let's say somebody has a $500,000 home, which is not too uncommon these days. And we'll just say they're 62. A spouse can be younger, but at least one needs to be 62. So let's say they can borrow about 35%. So let me do the math real quick. $500,000 times 35%, $175,000. They don't need the money, they're still working, but they know the time value of money. When we were in our twenties, the financial planners told us start investing in your twenties, you need to have time on your side so your money can grow. So if they get it at 62, and they're planning to work till 70, but now they have this line of credit, $175,000, and they don't need the money. So they let it ride, so to speak, for ten years. And that line of credit can double in ten years, potentially. So now they don't have $175, now they have $350, and they can turn that into monthly payments or a lump sum. They still don't need the money, because they have investments. They're doing fine and started taking Social Security. Now they let it ride another ten years. Now they're 82, so they've had the reverse mortgage for 20 years. And now that line of credit has grown to $700,000. Tax free, monthly payments, or lump sum. Turns out one of them get sick, which is not too uncommon. They need some help. So they bring somebody in a couple hours a day. We'll just say three or 4 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Instead of having a family member leave their job, come and care for the parents, they have money, they can pay somebody to come and care for them. So they can age in place."

Kevin adds, "A reverse mortgage is like a fingerprint. It's unique to each individual, each couple. We can tailor it to help them accomplish what they're looking to do."

💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.

💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews

💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan

✨ Visit Answers for Elders online

Mentioned in this episode:

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Kevin Guttman from C2 Financial joins Suzanne Newman on the Answers for Elders podcast to discuss the ins and outs of reverse mortgage. In this segment, Kevin talks about how to purchase a new home using a reverse mortgage instead of a traditional mortgage loan.. C2 Financial is the third largest mortgage broker in the country and the number one reverse mortgage broker in the country with 1,200 loan officers.

Kevin says, "When somebody decides to buy a home, they have three ways they can finance it. Cash. A traditional loan, with a monthly payment. Or a reverse mortgage, where they make one large down payment, we'll call it 65%. It varies. It depends on their age and different things, but let's just say 65%. But then they have no more monthly mortgage payment. The mortgage payment's optional. They can make a payment if they choose to, but they don't have to. So who's a good candidate for this? Let's say somebody who's lived in their home a long time, 20, 30, 40 years. Maybe the neighborhood's changed. Maybe they don't feel safe anymore. Maybe they want to live closer to their family, or their doctor. Maybe they can't do the stairs, or the maintenance on the house is too much.

"I have a great story about this. There was a family that moved back to Colorado Springs from northwest Arkansas, and the husband had to be on oxygen at altitude because we're 7,000 feet above sea level, and he couldn't breathe very well. And so his wife leaves the room for a minute while I'm talking with them. And he says, 'Listen, this is important to me. I need to make sure my wife's going to be okay. I'm not long for the Earth. I'm sick, I'm dying, and I need to be sure she's okay.' So what does that look like? He said, 'Well, I need the right home, a low maintenance home.' They ended up buying a condo where they're just responsible for the inside. 'We need to put enough down to where she doesn't have a monthly payment, and I need to be sure it's in a safe area.' So the realtor took care of the condo and the location. I helped with the financing. Sure enough, at the time, they only had to put 50% down. This was several years ago, interest rates were half what they are today. But four months later, the wife calls and says, 'I just want to let you know that Bill passed away, and you had told us that we could stay in this home as long as we paid the property taxes and the insurance on time, and not have a monthly mortgage payment. Is that right?' I said that's correct. Big sigh of relief. She says, 'Oh, good. That's the only way I can afford to stay in my home.' Why? Because they just lost his income. Their reverse mortgage changed her life.

"This is a game changer for people, If they only understood, 'Oh, I can finance a home with a first mortgage, I put one large down payment down. I don't have a monthly mortgage payment. And I'm in a safer home, safer neighborhood, maybe gated community, that kind of thing. Low or no maintenance. It's amazing."

💠 Connect with Kevin Guttman and C2 Financial at 877.251.9729.

💠 Visit C2 Financial's website for research, essays, videos, interviews

💠 Ebook: Betty’s Story: A Prudent Senior Citizen’s Guide to A Reverse Mortgage Loan

✨ Visit Answers for Elders online

Mentioned in this episode:

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Caregiving has changed dramatically across generations—and today’s women over 40 are leading a new kind of caregiving revolution. In this episode of Answers for Elders, Suzanne Newman welcomes Vivatude hosts Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora for a candid conversation about how caregiving looks different for Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. Together, they explore how women in the “sandwich generation” are balancing family, career, and the care of aging loved ones—all while trying to maintain their own physical, social, and occupational wellness.

Tracy Cromwell, a certified health coach and fitness professional, shares how physical wellness evolves as we age—and how today’s Gen X and Gen Y caregivers are more proactive about self-care and technology-supported health habits than previous generations. Meanwhile, Anu Arora, a leadership and mindfulness coach, dives into the growing epidemic of loneliness and why connection is the key to thriving, not just surviving, in caregiving. They discuss how modern caregivers are redefining wellness, finding new ways to cope with stress, and building communities of support both at home and in the workplace.

If you’re a woman over 40 navigating caregiving, this conversation is for you. Learn how to balance your own wellness while caring for others, discover generational insights that can make your journey easier, and hear empowering advice from two experts who understand the emotional, physical, and mental challenges of caregiving today. Subscribe to Answers for Elders Radio Network and Vivatude for more empowering conversations designed to help you live well, stay strong, and thrive through every season of life.

✨ Connect with Us

💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude

💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F

💠 Tracy Cromwell

- YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell

- Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell

- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell

💠 Anu Arora

- Website: https://www.anuarora.com/

- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora

- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/

Mentioned in this episode:

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Caregiving is both a gift and a challenge, especially for women over 40 balancing family, work, and personal wellness. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman joins Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to explore the first three essential rules of caregiving: 1) Take care of your loved one, 2) Take care of yourself, and 3) Support the primary caregiver. Through stories, practical strategies, and lived experiences, our hosts show how these rules can help caregivers maintain balance, reduce stress, and navigate the complexities of modern caregiving.

Physical, social, and occupational wellness are key to sustaining caregiving energy and resilience. Tracy highlights how physical wellness—through movement, proper nutrition, and stress management—keeps caregivers strong and prevents burnout. Anu shares how social and intellectual wellness, including connection, communication, and emotional support, help caregivers feel less isolated and more empowered. Together, they reveal strategies for managing the intense demands of caregiving while preserving your health, relationships, and sense of purpose.

If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a loved one, this episode offers guidance, encouragement, and actionable tips. Learn how to care for yourself as much as you care for others, discover the importance of supporting primary caregivers, and find ways to build meaningful connections in your community. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude to access more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with strength, joy, and balance.

✨ Connect with Us

💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude

💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F

💠 Tracy Cromwell

- YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell

- Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell

- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell

💠 Anu Arora

- Website: https://www.anuarora.com/

- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora

- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/

💠 Answers for Elders

- Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Communication is essential for caregivers, especially women over 40 navigating the challenges of supporting a senior loved one. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman sits down with Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to discuss the power of intentional, compassionate communication. Learn why expressing needs, clarifying intentions, and engaging in honest dialogue can transform the caregiving experience, strengthen relationships, and reduce stress while caring for aging family members.

Physical, social, and occupational wellness are deeply connected to effective communication. Tracy explains how stress affects the body and why physical wellness—through movement, mindfulness, and self-care—supports clear, calm interactions with loved ones. Anu highlights the importance of social wellness, showing how connection, empathy, and supportive networks can prevent isolation and help caregivers maintain balance. Occupational wellness is also key, as setting boundaries and clarifying roles with family and care teams ensures that caregiving responsibilities remain manageable and sustainable.

If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a senior loved one, this episode is packed with practical guidance and inspiration. Discover strategies for communicating with dignity, responding rather than reacting, and making the invisible visible in your caregiving relationships. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude for more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with grace, confidence, and balance.

✨ Connect with Us

💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude

💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F

💠 Tracy Cromwell

- YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell

- Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell

- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell

💠 Anu Arora

- Website: https://www.anuarora.com/

- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora

- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/

💠 Answers for Elders

- Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement

Gratitude can transform the caregiving experience, especially for women over 40 supporting a senior loved one. In this episode of Answers for Elders Radio Network, Suzanne Newman sits down with Tracy Cromwell and Anu Arora from the Vivatude podcast to explore the powerful role of gratitude in caregiving. Discover how embracing appreciation—even in challenging circumstances—can shift your perspective, reduce stress, and help you find meaning in every caregiving moment.

Physical, social, and occupational wellness are deeply connected to practicing gratitude. Tracy explains how acknowledging and appreciating your body’s strength can boost energy, improve health, and enhance resilience. Anu highlights the impact of gratitude on social wellness, showing how nurturing supportive relationships and trusting your circle can help caregivers feel less isolated and more connected. Occupational wellness is strengthened when caregivers approach their responsibilities with purpose, mindfulness, and a sense of privilege, turning everyday tasks into moments of growth and fulfillment.

If you’re a woman over 40 caring for a senior loved one, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration. Learn how to reframe challenges, create a gratitude practice, and cultivate joy while caring for your loved ones. Subscribe to Answers for Elders and Vivatude for more empowering conversations that help women navigate caregiving with balance, grace, and emotional resilience.

✨ Connect with Us

💠 Subscribe to Vivatude: https://www.youtube.com/@vivatude

💠 Watch Vivatude episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F

💠 Tracy Cromwell

- YouTube: 👉 @tracycromwell

- Podcasts: 👉 https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/tracy-cromwell

- Interviews: 👉 https://tracycromwell.com/pages/interviews-with-tracy-cromwell

💠 Anu Arora

- Website: https://www.anuarora.com/

- YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora

- Facebook: 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/

💠 Answers for Elders

- Website: 👉 https://answersforelders.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

Walk to End Alzheimer's

Learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer's at https://www.alz.org/walk.

Chateau Retirement

Chateau Retirement