engAGINGconversations's podcast

All I can say is advanced care planning is the moral of the story. Not only for today's episode, but in general. The concept of advanced planning is not rocket science. We do it for vacations, weddings, and other fun things. But it's even more important when planning for old age, the potential for infirmity, and death. Everything your parents have worked their entire life for is at stake.

Todd Lutsky is an elder attorney and an expert in elder law and all things regarding asset protection. He gives us an elementary education on terminology, and provides great examples of why it is SO important to consult with an elder law attorney to talk about how best to protect your assets. He defines Medicaid Planning, Life Estate Planning, Medicaid Qualified Annuities, as well as Medicaid Income Only Irrevocable Trusts, to name a few.

All I can say is one of THE most important episode I have produced thus far. "The Greying of America" is real. And impending. Are you going to stay silent because these subjects are "personal" and "none of my business" or  speak up and start helping your parents negotiate the later stages of life in a way that is beneficial and protective of their lives of hard work? Why shouldn't asset protection be as important as your next vacation?

Links to Todd and additional resources can be found here:

The Legal Exchange

Cushing and Dolan, PC

National Aging in Place Council

Keith Carlson, or "Nurse Keith" as many of us in the healthcare world know him, is a widely published author, an award-winning nurse blogger,  a holistic career coach for nurses, a podcast host, and social media influencer, just to name of few of the hats (or should I say caps!) that he wears.

He joined me today to talk about how nurses can be change agents, not only for their patients, but for their families and themselves too. He believes the change must come from within first. Once you can understand and verbalize your feelings about end of life choices for yourself, you are then more comfortable starting a conversation with others. He also suggests educating the public whether it be via social media, speaking, or through legislation. And none of these suggestions is unique to nurses. Anyone can and should listen in to hear the sage advice of Nurse Keith.

You Can Find Keith Here:

nursekeith.com

On Social Media:

FB @nurseKeithCoaching

Twitter @nurseKeith

Instagram @nurseKeithCoaching

LinkedIn KeithCarlson

And his friend Laurel who hosts death and dying dinner parties:

Laurel Lewis

Dr. Bud Hammes is the founder of Respecting Choices, an organization whose vision is to transform healthcare culture by integrating and disseminating best practices to achieve person-centered care. Through a small project to help health professionals talk with patients and families about advanced care planning, developed by Dr. Hammes at the Gunderson Health System in LaCrosse Wisconsin, back in the 80's, the community underwent a culture shift.  By inviting patients and families to engage in conversation about end of life wishes and make a plan, they have had tremendous success with patient/family satisfaction AND decreased health care costs. The results of this support system were and are amazing. And should be emulated.

But there are a couple of barriers. Time. And money. The conversations about advanced care planning take time. And insurance companies don't currently reimburse for these types of office visits, although I can't for the life of me figure out why...

You can find Respecting Choices (and Dr. Hammes) at:

https://respectingchoices.org

on Twitter @respchoices

Facebook @respectingchoices

How do we help seniors be where they want to be without undo risk?  What level of risk is tolerable and who decides that risk? These  are some of  the $64,000 questions. At a rate of 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, there is a huge gap between what is currently available for senior living options and what is needed.  Can we de-institutionalize (is that a word?) the options for our aging population? And if so, how?

Check out this week's episode where I talk with Karen Brown Wilson, the woman who came up with the concept of assisted living and opened the first assisted living facility in the US (in the state of Oregon) in 1981. Listen as she shares her story of the concept and  implementation of assisted living as her mother wanted it, to what it is today.

How do we get back to the simplicity of Keren's ideal, based on her Mom's requests?  This is another $64,000 question, and why I am doing this podcast. Please listen, share, and comment. We need to start a movement. C'mon baby boomers and your children. It's time to start talking. We are running short on time and long on need.

Keren is the founder and president of the Jessie F Richardson Foundation, named for her Mom.  The foundation empowers communities, in resource constrained areas, to provide multi-generational support for underserved older adults.

Links to the organization can be found here:

jfrfoundation.org

On social:

Facebook: @jfrfoundation

Twitter: @jfrfoundation

This week's guest is Minna Blair. She is retired, with adult children and grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, taking care of her grandchildren, and her 2 elderly dogs. Never in a million years did she expect to become a guardian for a woman she's known her entire life who lives 3 hours away, but that's exactly what happened.  She was able to rescue May from a court appointed guardianship and secure May's assets,  so they can be used to make sure May can be well taken care of.

May was lucky. I hear this isn't any easy thing to accomplish once a court appoints a legal guardian. But Minna encountered an overworked guardian, who I suspect was a little intimidated by her,  as well as a compassionate judge. I'm also pretty sure Minna's dogged determination (she calls it being obnoxious!) also played a big part in this happy ending.

Why did I have Minna tell her story today?

I wanted to validate for myself that this was a real issue, and I did. I also wanted to bring a name and a personal story to the table so you too, can see that this is real. And happening in the United States in 2018.

What are you going to do to prevent this from happening to someone you love?

aaapg.net

Dr. Sam Sugar is the co-founder the organization Americans Against Abusive Probate Guardianship (AAAPG). Their goal is to educate, advocate, and legislate against this "legal", but so very immoral loophole in our court system, that allows ill intentioned professionals to take advantage of our most vulnerable population.

The fact that an elderly US citizen who has done nothing wrong can lose all of his/her rights and become a ward of the court simply by having  a hearing to determine "incapacity", which is NOT A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, is absolutely insane! What's more, once a court appoints a professional guardian, it can be next to impossible to reverse this decision, and any costs associated with this are drawn from the assets of the elder.  This leaves the "ward" isolated from their family AND everything they own.  Dr. Sugar tells us that this situation happens most often as the result of a family dispute.  But this can happen to ANYONE.

Please share this post, this episode, and this information with everyone you know. It's hard to believe this can happen in the US in 2018! But it does. I encourage you to read Dr. Sugar's book to get the full story. Here are links to it and his organization:

Guardianships and the Elderly: The Perfect Crime

AAAPG

Follow them on social media:

Facebook  @aaapg.net

Twitter @helpaaapg

Lisa Linfield is a certified financial planner in Johannesburg South Africa. She is also the host of the Podcast Working Women’s Wealth. And she is on a mission to teach one million women how to manage their money.

We talked today about the reasons you MUST talk to your parents about money.  And why this is a GLOBAL issue. You cannot assume that your parents have enough savings to sustain them through the rest of their lives. If you do, and they run out, guess who’s left holding the bag?

And some strategies you and your family can utilize to avoid winding up in this situation.

• buy long term care insurance for your parents (frail care)
• start an investment account
• have the courage to have the discussion

Lisa's Website:

Working Women’s Wealth

Her Podcast:

Working Women's Wealth

Find her on Social Media:

On Facebook: @workingwomen'swealth

Lives Well Lived with Sky Bergman_010

Sky Bergman is an award winning photographer, turned director and has just released her first documentary called Lives Well Lived. She interviews 40 people 75 and older and they share their stories and the history of the era in which they have lived.

Check out her website:

Lives-Well-Lived.com

to see a trailer and find a list of theaters across the country where the fill is premiering. In addition check out the page to share a story of your own, or one of someone over 75 that you admire. 

You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @LivesWellLived

Here are some links to resources she mentioned:

Live Long Die Short by Roger Landry

Masterpiece Living 

Jean Lee is the author of Alzheimer’s Daughter, her memoir in which she shares her family’s story of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for both of her parents on the same day. She is also a co-founder of the website AlzAuthors.com.  This site is a collection of works related to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Their goal is to erase the stigma associated with these diagnoses and provide support for family’s affected.  Listen today as she shares her story. 

Here are links for the book and the website :

Alzheimer’s Daughter

AlzAuthors.com

And you can find me at:

sherylsmithrn.com

Sue Kemple is the CEO of My Last Soundtrack and talks with me about this web based tool that provides a way for you to upload photos, music, and memories that allow YOU to determine how you want to be remembered.

It is easy to navigate and can be used by individuals or groups like hospice. 

You can find it here:

www.mylastsoundtrack.com

Sue is also a digital marketing strategist and business coach. If you want to get in touch with her directly, you can contact her here:

[email protected]