Managing medications can be overwhelming for older adults and their families. In this episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Nancy Taylor, founder of TaylorMade Senior Advocacy and Consulting. With decades of experience as a pharmacist, plus credentials as a Board-Certified Patient Advocate and Certified Senior Advisor, Dr. Taylor brings deep insight into one of the most pressing challenges in senior health: polypharmacy.

Together, they uncover how too many medications—or the wrong combinations—can impact quality of life, drive up costs, and create dangerous prescribing cascades. Dr. Taylor explains why advocacy is critical in today’s complex healthcare system, how personalized healthcare action plans work, and the ways adult children can get relief when caregiving becomes overwhelming.

If you’ve ever worried about a loved one’s medications or struggled to navigate the system yourself, this episode offers practical strategies and hope.

Links and Resources: 

Contact Dr. Nancy Taylor (877) 216-7450

[email protected] 

www.drtadvocacy.com   

Facebook - (20+) Facebook

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

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In this eye-opening episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark sits down with Vesna Ilich, owner and administrator of Monte Vista Manor, a six-bed residential care home in Vista, California. Together, they pull back the curtain on small but powerful care homes—also known as board and care homes—that offer hands-on, personalized support for seniors with high needs, including advanced dementia, mobility challenges, and end-of-life care.

Vesna shares her 20+ years of experience, the realities of staffing, licensing, and cost pressures, and why these homes are often misunderstood despite being licensed at the same level as large communities. With rising costs and shrinking numbers of these homes, the conversation becomes a wake-up call for families on how to plan for long-term care.

You’ll hear the heart, grit, and personal connection behind this overlooked model of care. Spoiler: It may just be theoption you never knew existed.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Vesna Illich (760) 685-2299

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Florida may be the top retirement destination in the U.S., but what’s it really like to age there? In this informative and upbeat episode of "Get Ready for Better Aging," host Jacqui Clark is joined by Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay, CSA, a senior care expert and founder of Hometown Senior Care Solutions. Together, they break down the unique assisted living licensing system in Florida and explain why understanding these care levels is critical for families making long-term decisions.

From on-site doctors and mobile services to Medicaid planning and concierge care, Wendy shares essential insights into Florida’s senior care landscape. You’ll also hear how Florida communities compare to California’s—and why working with a knowledgeable advisor can save you time, money, and stress.

Whether you're supporting aging parents or planning ahead for yourself, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and practical tools to navigate the journey. Learn how assisted living can increase independence—and what to consider before making the move.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Wendy Rickenbach-Barclay at www.hometownseniorcaresolutions.net

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this essential episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Sandy Messer, CEO of Long Term Assurance and one of only 200 VA-accredited civilian agents in the country.

Sandy breaks down the ins and outs of VA Aid and Attendance benefits—and why timing is everything. Learn who qualifies (hint: it’s more people than you think), what documents you need, and how to plan ahead to cover long-term care costs with VA benefits, Medicaid, or both. From little-known spend-down strategies to protecting your assets across state lines, Sandy offers powerful insights for families, caregivers, and veterans alike.

Discover how to make smart financial moves today to avoid panic tomorrow. Whether you're planning for a parent or yourself, this conversation is packed with actionable guidance—and compassion. Don't wait for a crisis to figure it out. Tune in and start planning your “second retirement” now.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Sandy Messer of Long Term Assurance at www.ltainfo.com (877) 286-0402

[email protected]

FAQ: Veterans Aid & Attendance | Long Term Assurance - https://ltainfo.com/faq

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠⁠

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In this eye-opening episode of Get Ready for Better Aging, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Christine Lee, a Certified Senior Advisor and the CEO of Casa Companion Home Care and Transport Solutions. Together, they unpack a critical—but often ignored—pillar of aging well: transportation. Christine shares her inspiring journey from founding a culturally rooted home care company to launching a transport service that empowers seniors, veterans, and adults with disabilities to stay mobile and independent.

You’ll learn why lack of transportation is a major reason older adults enter assisted living before they’re ready—and how the right support can change everything. From hospital discharges to life events like weddings, Christine and Jacqui explore the emotional and logistical impact of getting where you need to go, with dignity.

Whether you're aging in place or supporting someone who is, this episode delivers powerful insights to help you plan ahead—before a ride becomes a crisis.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Christine Lee and Casa Companion Home Care and Transportation - https://www.casacompanionhomecare.com

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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What if retirement isn’t the end, but the beginning of your most meaningful chapter? In this inspiring episode, Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Harry Agress, Jr.—physician, photographer, author, and reinvention enthusiast—to explore how retirement can be a launching pad for creativity, curiosity, and connection. Harry shares the deeply personal story behind his book Next Years, Best Years, and how simple lists of fears, loves, and curiosities led him to improv classes, children’s book illustration, and even background acting in TV shows. Together, they unpack his framework of Purpose, Passion, and Possibility and the “Four Freedoms” that make this life phase so unique.

From turning hobbies into joy (not jobs) to embracing curiosity as a compass, this conversation offers a roadmap to vibrant, self-defined living after 60. Whether you're newly retired or just planning ahead, this episode is your reminder: you’re not winding down—you’re just getting started.

Links and Resources:

Connect with Dr. Harry Agress, Jr.

His book Next Years, Best Years is available everywhere books are sold.

See his website for his upcoming events -

https://nextyearsbestyears.com

Subscribe to get your FREE chapter, worksheets, and sample resource

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠⁠

⁠⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠⁠

⁠⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠⁠

⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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What if death didn’t have to be lonely, confusing, or feared? In this powerful and deeply human episode, host Jacqui Clark welcomes Dr. Bob Uslander and death doula Lori Krause to explore a compassionate, team-based approach to dying well. Together, they reveal how the partnership between physicians and end-of-life doulas is revolutionizing care—offering emotional, spiritual, and practical support that the traditional healthcare system often misses.

From navigating dementia to honoring a loved one’s final wishes, this conversation uncovers what’s possible when people are truly seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re a caregiver, facing loss, or simply curious, this episode offers hope, tools, and vital insights into an experience we all will face. You’ll come away with a sense of peace—and maybe even inspiration to rethink how we live and die. This is one episode you can’t afford to miss.

Links and Resources:

(Connect with Dr. Bob Uslander and Lori Krause)

https://empoweredendings.com

https://www.facebook.com/empowerendings

https://www.instagram.com/empowered_endings_

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805⁠

⁠This Is Living Well - ⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com⁠

⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging⁠

⁠Aging Well Magazine - ⁠⁠https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine⁠

⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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In this deeply moving episode, Jacqui Clark sits down with June, a devoted wife and caregiver, to share the emotional journey of caring for her husband, Ned, through the challenges of dementia. With raw honesty and tender humor, June recounts the heartbreak, resilience, and soul-deep love that defined their final years together. From the first forgotten memories to the last silent goodbye, her story is a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a love worth honoring. This episode is a lifeline for anyone walking the path of caregiving—an intimate reflection on grief, strength, and the enduring human spirit.

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

Connect with a local Aging Parent Tribe FB Group for caregiver support near you: 

Aging Parent Tribe SoCal - San Diego : An Info and Support Group | Groups | Facebook-

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1300623337892805

This Is Living Well - https://www.thisislivingwell.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging

Aging Well Magazine - https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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Think reverse mortgages are a last resort or a financial trap? Think again. In this eye-opening

episode, Jacqui Clark sits down with Shanne Sleder—a Certified Reverse Mortgage

Professional and Certified Liability Advisor—to debunk the myths and break down the real deal

on one of the most misunderstood financial tools out there. From panicked adult children to

confused homeowners, misinformation runs wild. But with the right knowledge, reverse

mortgages can be a lifeline—not a loss. Learn how seniors can tap into home equity safely, use

it as a long-term retirement strategy, and even protect themselves in a disaster. Shanne shares

real-life examples, red flags to watch for, and key questions to ask before signing anything.

Whether you're planning your own retirement or helping a loved one, this conversation will

change how you think about homeownership, legacy, and financial freedom.

Because sometimes, the smartest move… is in reverse.

Connect with Shanne Sleder, Mortgage Advisor, CRMP

NMLS# 239958 / DRE# 01346265

www.SanDiegoMortgageNews.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/ShanneSleder

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/shannesleder

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

This Is Living Well - https://www.thisislivingwell.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging

Aging Well Magazine - https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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In this episode, host Jacqui Clark sits down with Greg Hahn of Lightbridge Hospice, a dedicated

hospice and palliative care nurse with decades of experience. As the hospice chair for the San

Diego Regional Home Care Council and a San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care member,

Greg illuminates the crucial distinctions between hospice and palliative care, addressing

common misconceptions and fears.

Together, they discuss what hospice truly means, the role of hospice workers, and how families

can confidently navigate these services. Greg shares powerful patient stories, including a

touching tribute to veterans and hospice's impact on patients and their loved ones. He also

provides practical insights on Medicare coverage, choosing the right hospice provider, and the

importance of early intervention.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation about compassionate end-of-life care and the

incredible people who make it possible.

Connect with Greg Hahn, RN and LightBridge Hospice & Palliative Care -

https://lightbridgehospice.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LightBridgeHospice

Links and Resources: (Jacqui Clark)

This Is Living Well - https://www.thisislivingwell.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/getreadyforbetteraging

Aging Well Magazine - https://www.thisislivingwell.com/magazine

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GetReadyforBetterAging

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