Empowered Elder Podcast

Have you ever stopped to think about what it actually feels like for an older adult inside an emergency room?

The noise is relentless. The lights are harsh. The wait feels endless. And for someone already managing memory changes, mobility challenges, or the quiet exhaustion of being cared for — it can be genuinely disorienting and scary.

Most traditional ERs weren't designed with older adults in mind. But that conversation is finally happening.

In Part 1 of this episode, Dr. Holly Buschhorn (she/her) takes us inside the world of geriatric emergency care — what's changing, why it matters, and how age-friendly ER programs are reshaping the way older adults receive care. Less chaos. More compassion. More dignity.

And if you've never heard of these programs before, you're not alone. Most families haven't — until they need them.

If you're caring for an aging parent, a grandparent, or any older loved one, this episode will give you a new lens on emergency care and the confidence to advocate for the people you love.

Part 1 is ready when you are. Hit play.

#EmpoweredElderPodcast #CaregivingSupport #AgingParents #GeriatricCare #SeniorHealth

Guests: 🌐Dr. Holly Buschhorn (she/her)Chief of the Emergency DepartmentWestern Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS), VAHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

▶️ Youtube:

https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=FYCTyh4N-QwaEUgT🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

What if one decision about Medicare could affect your healthcare — and your finances — for the rest of your life?

In Part 2 of this episode, we continue our conversation with Hank McClellan, a Medicare broker with Medicare Mentors LLC, to unpack the details that many people overlook when choosing a plan.

We explore the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap, how timing impacts your options, and why delaying certain decisions could lead to lifelong penalties or limited coverage.

This episode also highlights important insights for veterans and their families, including how TRICARE for Life works, the role of VA benefits, and why enrolling in Medicare Part B is often essential.

If you or someone you care about is approaching 65, this conversation is designed to help you make informed, confident decisions.

Guests: Hank McClellan, Benefits Advisor, Medicare Mentors LLC🌐 https://medicarementorsllc.comHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources: http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

Medicare decisions often arrive at a time when life already feels full—retirement planning, health concerns, and caring for loved ones. It’s no surprise so many people feel unsure where to begin.

In this episode, Hank McClellan offers a steady, easy-to-understand guide through the essentials of Medicare. He explains why plan choices are deeply personal, how different options work, and what to be mindful of when timing your enrollment.

In this episode:

• Why Medicare is not one-size-fits-all
• The difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap
• Key enrollment timelines and lifelong penalties
• What to consider if you’re still working or covered by an employer
• How a broker can help simplify your decisions

This conversation is a reminder that you don’t have to figure everything out alone—and that with the right information, these decisions can feel manageable.

Take it one step at a time.

This resonates? Wait 'til you see PART 2.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources: http://bit.ly/EmpoweredElderPodcast

Guests: Hank McClellan, Benefits Advisor, Medicare Mentors LLC

🌐 https://medicarementorsllc.com

Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

What if preserving a loved one’s story didn’t have to feel overwhelming—but simply intentional?

In Part 2, Lisa Mares shares practical, approachable ways to begin capturing family stories through video. This conversation focuses on making the process manageable, especially for families navigating memory changes or caregiving responsibilities.

From short recording sessions to simple equipment tips, this episode offers a steady path forward for those who want to preserve meaningful moments without adding pressure.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Recording in short, comfortable sessions
• Supporting loved ones with memory challenges through video
• Simple tools to improve audio and video quality
• Ways to organize and back up important recordings
• How storytelling supports dignity, connection, and legacy

You don’t need perfect conditions—you just need a moment, and the willingness to begin.

What stories in your family haven’t been told yet?

In this episode, Lisa Mars shares how video can become a meaningful way to preserve not just memories, but presence — the voice, personality, and essence of the people we love.

For families navigating aging or life transitions, this can be a powerful way to hold onto what matters most.

You’ll hear simple ways to begin, even if a loved one feels hesitant, and how everyday conversations can become lasting pieces of family history.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why family stories are often lost over time
• How video captures more than photos or written memories
• Helping loved ones feel comfortable on camera
• Simple, low-pressure ways to start recording
• Preserving meaningful moments during life transitions

Sometimes, the stories we almost didn’t record become the ones we treasure most.

Guests: Lisa Mares, Co-Founder, Maresmedia LLC|Video Strategist/Storyteller, and Content Developer🌐 https://www.maresmedia.online/Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:

https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

What does it really look like to support someone you love… without taking away their independence?

In Part 2 of this conversation, we explore the balance between care and autonomy — and why advocacy should feel like partnership, not control. This episode helps families better understand how to make thoughtful, informed decisions while still honoring the person at the center of it all.

From clarifying the role of Certified Senior Advisors to making intentional choices around Power of Attorney, this discussion brings structure to situations that often feel emotional and unclear.

Key takeaways:

• Self-advocacy remains essential at every stage of life
• Choosing the right Power of Attorney should be based on ability, not assumption
• Credentials and experience matter when building a care team
• Families benefit from ongoing conversations — not just decisions made in crisis
• Respecting autonomy is just as important as ensuring safety

You don’t have to have all the answers — just a place to start.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...

▶️ https://youtu.be/As8O_iR1jN8?si=BTlXBkGwTQwKGVbk

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/...Guests: Kelly O'Connor🌐 https://www.csa.us/ Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

How do you know if you can trust the people helping your family make elder care decisions?

In this episode, Certified Senior Advisor Kelly O'Connor breaks down what families should be paying attention to when choosing professional support—from credentials and ethical standards to real-world experience. It’s a conversation that brings clarity to a system that can often feel overwhelming and fragmented.

You’ll also hear why so many families only start asking these questions during a crisis—and how planning ahead, even just a few years earlier, can make a meaningful difference in how decisions are made.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What it means to be a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)
• How to evaluate credentials and professional accountability
• The importance of ethics in elder care support
• Key questions families should ask before hiring help
• Why building a support team early matters

You deserve guidance you can trust—and the time to choose it thoughtfully.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empo...🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6CnZ3fF...🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast...🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/...Guests: Kelly O'Connor🌐 https://www.csa.us/ Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

Supporting someone with Parkinson’s goes beyond managing symptoms — it involves the entire family.

In Episode 16 – Part 2, Polly Dawkins of the Davis Phinney Foundation continues the conversation with a focus on caregiving, communication, and the importance of building support early.

This episode highlights how Parkinson’s often includes symptoms that aren’t immediately visible, and why understanding those changes can help families respond with greater patience and clarity.

In this episode:

• Why caregiver well-being directly impacts the person receiving care• The importance of open, early conversations about future planning• Understanding the “iceberg” of Parkinson’s symptoms• How community, professionals, and resources can support families• Why asking for help is a skill — and a necessary one

Caregiving is not meant to be done alone.

And having the right support can change the experience for everyone involved.

Guests: Polly Dawkins, Executive Director, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s🌐 https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.orgHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:

https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

A Parkinson’s diagnosis can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t mean life stops.

In Episode 16 – Part 1, Polly Dawkins, Executive Director of the Davis Phinney Foundation, joins The Empowered Elder Podcast to talk about the foundation’s guiding message: live well today.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms or waiting for future treatments, Polly explains how daily habits can support people living with Parkinson’s in meaningful ways.

This conversation explores the practical and emotional sides of navigating Parkinson’s — from movement and nutrition to connection and mindset.

In this episode:

• Why short bursts of daily movement can support brain health
• The importance of hydration, nutrition, and social connection
• Why mental rest and mindfulness matter
• The emotional realities that often appear early in Parkinson’s
• How community and expert care can support long-term well-being

Living well doesn’t always require big changes.

Sometimes it begins with small, intentional choices made today.

Guests: Polly Dawkins, Executive Director, Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s

🌐 https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org

Hosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:

https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149

What happens when technology becomes a barrier to independence?

For many older adults, everyday tasks now involve navigating devices, apps, and online systems. When technology doesn’t cooperate, it can lead to frustration, embarrassment, and sometimes avoiding important tasks altogether.

In this episode of The Empowered Elder Podcast, hosts Tasha Beckman and Nicole Robilotto speak with Steven Cleveland, Co-Founder of Tech Companions, a Denver-based service dedicated to helping older adults gain confidence with technology through patient, compassionate support.

Steven shares how simple, respectful guidance can transform technology from a source of stress into a tool that supports independence and connection.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why technology has become essential for aging in place• How repeated tech frustration affects confidence and independence• The most common technology challenges older adults face• How patient, non-judgmental support can change the experience• Why empowerment should guide how we introduce new technology

Technology doesn’t have to create barriers to living well. With the right support, it can become a bridge to independence, connection, and confidence in the years ahead.

Guests: Steven Cleveland, Co-Founder, TechCompanion🌐 https://techcompanions.comHosts: 🎙️ Tasha Beckman & Nicole Robilotto The Empowered Elder Podcast — where we talk about home, heart, and the next chapter of life.

In partnership with Agewise Colorado:

https://agewisecolorado.org/blog/empowered-elder-podcasts/

🍎 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/empowered-elder-podcast/id1862896231

🔗 Visit our website & episode resources:

https://app.highnote.io/c/p/249d4ddf/empowered-elder-podcast?cp=link

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@empoweredelderpodcast?si=kqtNIsxVq8rtg149