BoomerTime with Nancy Cogar

In this episode, I want you to meet my producer and friend Nea Paris with Paris Campaigns & Creative, a Chattanooga-based media agency. I consider her to be a technology expert in my opinion. She's here to discuss an issue that comes up in her firm regularly, which is online safety.

What's special about Nea is that not only is she a digital native, she also has background in corporate communications targeting the aging population. I find her perspective and insights to be valuable as we address these threats together, across generations.

So I'm glad to officially have her on Boomer Time to discuss password safety, phishing and email scams, all of which is on the rise. She's also included some resources that I'm sure you'll find helpful as you navigate these vast technological waters.

How to connect with Nea:

Paris Campaigns & Creative > www.neaparis.com

IG: @itsneaparis

Email: [email protected]

Resources mentioned in this podcast:

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Elder Fraud - https://www.ic3.gov/Home/EF

Use Strong Passwords | CISA https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords

KeePass Password Safe

LastPass Password Management

In this episode, I’ve got a couple stories for you which should frame most of our discussion today. Because we are talking about the importance of hydration. It’s been hot and it continues to be hot. Even if you have A/C you can still get dehydrated – In fact, it’s estimated that between 20% and 30% of older adults are chronically dehydrated.

One such individual – a physically active older adult – was traveling in this weather and started to feel very lethargic – in fact having headaches and trouble just getting out of bed. He finally went to the doctor who shared that he was showing symptoms of dehydration. He increased his fluid intake, (not coffee or tea) water, seltzer and the tiredness went away within days and then back with friends in all the outdoor activities.

Another one of our neighbors from right here in Tennessee was out mowing the lawn – all this rain makes the grass grow - He was out taking 5-minute breaks, sipping water and trying to keep his cool. He ignored some cramping in his arm and really wasn’t sweating much so didn’t pay much attention. Once he finished, he went into the shower and passed out and fell right on his head – required a visit to the hospital and staples to mend the crack in his head.

Dehydration is dangerous no matter what your age, but seniors are at a greater risk for dehydration than other age groups. Dehydration can happen quicker than you think and can cause damage before you have a chance to rehydrate. Learn the signs of dehydration and how you can prevent it from happening to you. On a warm or hot day, without even sensing it, you’re losing a ton of fluid. There are other factors that can put older adults at higher risk. The body’s ability to retain water in blood vessels decreases with age, so fluids are more easily depleted. If you suffer from diabetes or take diuretics, both can contribute to water loss.

I don’t want this to happen to you and that’s why we are focusing on hydration on this episode of Boomer Time. Seems like a simple topic but it’s a surprisingly serious issue and sends lots of people to the hospital especially in weather like we are having right now.

These reminders help, I think especially when its been as hot as its been around here. This is also for those of you caring for a loved one as well. It can be difficult to even recognize dehydration in older adults. They may tell you that they’re not thirsty and it can be especially difficult if there is a dementia diagnosis involved.

Symptoms of long-term dehydration include constipation, dry skin, fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches and possibly things like kidney stones and bladder infections,” UTI’s can lead to falls and confusion and we’ve talked about some of that here as well – see this is all interrelated and that’s why I think its important to talk about these things.

Signs of dehydration include:

Here are a few tips for senior hydration (age 60 and over):

Let's talk money. This is such an important topic. Not only can money make you more comfortable (at least in some respects, right?), it’s also at the root of all disputes. Either you have it or you don’t or someone is trying to get it from you. When you die, the worst scenario is having everyone fighting over what you’ve left behind.

In Episode 35, I hope to offer some wisdom when it comes to money – and planning – regarding (1) different kinds of assets – pass differently at your death – this is important to know. (2) simple things you can do to plan for that (3) expenses you can make now that will help you later in life, (4) what NOT to do with your money; and (5) touch on some brand new rules from the IRS as to inherited IRAs. This is information you need to know.

Join the Boomer Time community! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to my newsletter and gain helpful resources to help you or your loved one navigate aging with confidence.

It’s on so many people’s minds.  “How do I stay out of the nursing home when I get older? Next to that – “how do I save my assets that I’ve worked so hard for all my life?”

Well, I think one goes with the other. If you stay out of the nursing home when it comes to your long-term care – you will almost certainly protect your assets.  In fact, 90 percent of people over 65 want to remain at home as long as possible. 

BUT – It takes planning.  Nobody wants to plan for being in a nursing home. Why would they?  I think that makes sense and I am 100 percent behind strategies that keep someone at home and out of a nursing home.  Like I said that takes some specific planning and some intentional efforts.  We are going to talk about some of that in this episode.

First of all, here’s the truth – the forecast is not good.   I’ve talked about this before.   4.1 million Americans will turn 65 this year.  The numbers of people aging over 65 is growing.   In 2020 1 in 6 people in the U.S. was 65 and older.  In 2030 all baby boomers will be over age 65 – more people will be over age 65 than any other age group. 

People are also living longer.  You think this is going to change things?  Absolutely……without a doubt.  In fact, it’s so significant it is called the Silver Tsunami – like a tidal wave crash clearing everything in its path.   This is expected to put unprecedented pressure on our health care system – that’s why I’m 100 percent behind anyone that wants to avoid nursing home care – just need to plan specifically. 

The government expects that out-of-pocked health care costs to double to $27 billion by 2030. It’s also supposed to be harder to find space in these facilities.

So in this episode, we’re talking about getting started with a strategy to stay at home and out of a nursing home.

Home Safety Checklist

In this episode, we are tackling what to do with all of our treasures – aka all that stuff we’ve collected over the years.   It’s not easy.  I’ve got some clients that haven’t chosen to ignore it – that’s not helpful – someone will have to deal with it sooner or later.   In fact, one couple moved to a new house and has left all their stuff in their old house – they just don’t want to deal with all that’s been accumulated over the 40+ years of their marriage.  

Truth is, a lot of us – including yours truly are suffocating in stuff.  We’re not squirrels, right? Storing nuts for the winter… But there we are squirreling away all kinds of things, even in storage facilities.  

One wise soul said, “If you have to buy stuff to store your stuff, you might have too much stuff.” Self-storage should not be the best option. But that’s big business in this country.

Check this out: These are recent numbers from March 2024. The self-storage industry represents a 44.3 Billion dollar industry in America. There are 52,300 facilities across the U.S. or 2.1 Billion Square feet. That’s 6.32 sq feet per person.  We are spending an average of $85.14/per month on self-storage.  We are bursting at the seams.

Well, we can do something about it.  Today we are talking about strategies to do that. I hope you will start to consider some of these strategies before it’s a must.

Here are a few benefits in sorting out your stuff or decluttering:

So how to start? We'll talk about tackling these in this podcast episode.

Join the Boomer Time community! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to my newsletter and gain helpful resources to help you or your loved one navigate aging with confidence.

In this episode, I’m joined by my friends Libby ad Fred Dearing, whose retirement plan was not the norm. Listen along as you hear their wonderful story. My hope is that their work in South Sudan and Uganda inspires people to think of what they can do during retirement.

In this episode, we are talking about a challenging subject today involving the aftermath of a dementia diagnosis.   First of all, if this is you or you are listening to this as someone that it is some kind of role as a caregiver of a loved one - you are NOT alone. 

Based on the most recent numbers out there - there are an estimated 6.7 million people out there who have been diagnosed with some form of dementia.  There are different types of dementia - cognitive illnesses - most commonly referred to is probably Alzheimer’s but there are others that impair your mental capacity and can include - Parkinson's, Sundowner's, Lewy Body Syndrome - there are a variety, and millions of Americans are struggling with these types of illnesses.   

Even more Americans are finding themselves in a role of caregiver and more than likely unpaid caregiver.  Based on that same report that I cited earlier, there are an estimated 48 million people in some caregiving role in this country and both the numbers of individuals requiring care and those stepping into the role of caregiver is skyrocketing.  Also, 14 million Americans will be diagnosed with some form of dementia by 2060. 

So on this episode of Boomer Time, we are going to be tackling a tough but important topic and I hope you'll come in close and listen to me. Take notes and I guarantee you that if you listen through to the end you are going to be more encouraged and empowered than before you joined us. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 7: 10 Reasons Why D-I-Y Wills Lead to Disaster

GUIDE Model - Dementia Care Aware 

Caregiver Training Services - Medicare.gov

New Ways Medicare Is Supporting Family Caregivers (aarp.org)

Legal and Financial Planning & Alzheimer’s Disease (nih.gov)

Legal Planning | Alzheimer's Association

Order Free Publications | Publication Ordering System and Contact Report System (nih.gov)

Advance Care Planning Worksheets | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

Aids and Help for Personal Care and Dressing the Elderly | AgingCare.com

JUNE CONTEST ENTIRES ARE CLOSED

Congratulations to the winners of our drawing! (Check your email to claim your prize!) I hope you (and perhaps a loved one) enjoy a good cup of coffee and conversation. Let me know how your talk goes! And don't forget to stay tuned for our next giveaway!

Do you know the difference between a Will and a Trust?

I wanted to dedicate this episode to more of your Frequently Asked Questions about Elder Law and Estate Planning. A huge thank you to those of you who sent in your questions. I really do appreciate hearing from each of you. I take your input seriously.

Have a question for me? Reach out by filling out my contact form (at www.nancycogar.com), or email me at [email protected]. Your question may end up on a future episode.

ICYMI: Speaking of episodes, why not go back and listen to our first FAQ episode, plus there's a few other episodes that can help expand on some very important questions involving Estate Planning:

There's still time! During the month of June 2024, visit NancyCogar.com to get a chance to win Scooters Coffee. Take your loved one for a cup of coffee (or a shake) and get a conversation going.

Join the Boomer Time community! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to

There's still time! During the month of June 2024, visit NancyCogar.com to get a chance to win Scooters Coffee. Take your loved one for a cup of coffee (or a shake) and get a conversation going.

Here's a question: What are you thinking about when you wake up? For Dina Cataldo, master certified coach, she says brings her attention to her heart, honors her experiences and practices gratitude before her feet hit the floor.

In this very special episode, I chat with my friend and industry colleague Dina Cataldo, master certified coach, speaker, and host of the "Be a Better Lawyer" podcast, who shares her insights on caregiving, asking for help, and well-being while deepening our bonds with family and friends while carrying the caregiving role.

She has been a light in my own life, and I hope her advice brings peace and calm to you as you navigate the caregiver role.

Connect with Dina

During the month of June 2024, visit NancyCogar.com to get a chance to win Scooters Coffee. Take your loved one for a cup of coffee (or a shake) and get a conversation going.

Join the Boomer Time community! Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠NancyCogar.com⁠⁠⁠, subscribe to my newsletter and gain helpful resources to help you or your loved one navigate aging with confidence.

On this episode of Boomer Time, we are taking time to honor faithful fathers with Father’s Day approaching.  I thought it might be helpful to share some ideas as to how you might do something helpful for your father this Father’s day, especially if he is aging and having a harder time getting around – so that’s what I aim to do.    

I find that men, especially older men can be reluctant to complain.  They can also be reluctant to ask for help.  

So I’m hoping that this Father’s Day that maybe I can encourage some of you to encourage Dad to take some proactive steps in planning for his older years. I am going to share a few ideas about how to do that.

Did you know that Father’s Day is NOT a federal holiday?  That seems strange to me.  Of course it does fall on a Sunday, but it’s not a federally recognized holiday like Mother’s Day.   Some states have recognized Father’s Day including Arizona, but not all states have officially recognized Father’s day as a holiday. Also, it's not a recognized holiday in Tennessee. That makes me go hmmm.

Father’s Day originated as a memorial service which was held for a large group of men who were killed in a coal mining accident in West Virginia back in 1907.  Three hundred and sixty two miners, many of them fathers were killed.  

Honoring our parents is important.  There is a commandment in the Old Testament requiring us to honor our parents and it’s the first commandment with a promise attached to it that we will live a long life, if we honor our mother and father. Exodus 20:12 and Ephesians 6:2 includes a warning to mouthy and/or sarcastic children who demean or belittle their parents are on a path to destruction. 

Generally honoring our parents should include the following:

Now I know relationships can be difficult and not everyone has fond memories of their father or mother – but they are people too – which means they are imperfect and on this Father’s Day edition, I am going to talk about ways to honor your father, even the imperfect ones. 

☕ June Giveaway! ☕

During the month of June 2024, visit NancyCogar.com to get a chance to win Scooters Coffee. Take your loved one for a cup of coffee (or a shake) and get a conversation going. ☕

So that you don’t miss this and future episodes, subscribe and follow the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and soon YouTube! Or you can always visit me at NancyCogar.com.