Growing Older Together | Facing Fears. Embracing Resilience.

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In Episode 17, Lourdes talks about what it can be like to care for aging parents while also getting older yourself.

She discusses how caregiving can affect your time, energy, emotions, relationships, and the way you think about your own future.

RESOURCES

Pew Research Center, Family Caregiving in an Aging America, February 26, 2026, Pew Research Center: Family Caregiving in an Aging America

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In Episode 16, Lourdes talks about what it can feel like when you keep trying to speak and people stop listening, brush you off, or make you feel that what you have to say does not matter.

She looks at how repeated dismissal can lead you to hold things back, question yourself, or decide it is easier to stay quiet.

RESOURCES

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Ageism in a health-related context: the physiological, psychological, and behavioral impacts of subtle age discrimination on older adults
Ng et al. (2025), https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07489-2

Communications Psychology
High-quality listening behaviors linked to social connection between strangers
West et al. (2025), https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00342-2

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In Episode 15, Lourdes talks about the moments when life can suddenly feel frightening or out of control, whether it starts with a phone call, ongoing stress, not feeling heard, or a major change.

She looks at what it can take to get through something you never expected to face and how one small step can help when everything feels like too much.

RESOURCES

Ageism in a Health-Related Context: The Physiological, Psychological, and Behavioral Impacts of Subtle Age Discrimination on Older Adults, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07489-2

American Psychology Association

• Anxiety and the Body, https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Building Resilience, https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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This episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 14, Lourdes talks about being underestimated because of age and the assumptions people can make before they know anything about you.

She shares ways to respond when someone questions your ability, experience, or judgment simply because you are older.

RESOURCES

Senior Centers in the United States

• To find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/

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This episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 13, Lourdes talks about why saying no can be difficult and how old habits can make it harder to set boundaries.

She discusses the importance of recognizing your limits and making decisions that protect your well-being.

RESOURCES

• Learn How to Say No: Setting Boundaries for a Healthier Life (Salience Health), https://saliencehealth.com/news/learn-how-to-say-no-setting-boundaries-for-a-healthier-life/ 
• 7 Tools for Setting Healthy Boundaries (The Conflict Center), https://conflictcenter.org/7-tools-for-setting-healthy-boundaries/
• How to Say No Without Feeling Guilty – Harris County Public Library blog, https://hcpl.net/blogs/post/how-to-say-no-without-feeling-guilty/

Senior Centers in the United States

• To find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/

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This episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 12, Lourdes talks about awareness as an important part of personal safety and how noticing early warning signs may help prevent a situation from becoming physical.

She shares personal experiences and practical ways to stay alert, pay attention to your surroundings, and recognize when something does not feel right.

RESOURCES

Self‑defense – Los Angeles area

• Peace Over Violence – Empowerment Self‑Defense, https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/empowerment-self-defense
• Seniors Fight Back – free self‑defense classes for older adults, https://seniorsfightback.com/events/self-defense-workshop-downtown-los-angeles/ [Mentioned in episode]

Safety Classes, Scam Prevention, Senior Centers – Los Angeles County

• LA County Aging & Disabilities Department (helps older adults find safety classes, scam‑prevention talks, senior centers, and more), https://ad.lacounty.gov – Info line: (800) 510‑2020

Finding Assistance for Older Adults – California

• Find the right office for older adults in your county, https://www.aging.ca.gov/Find_Services_in_My_County/My_County/
• Senior Scam Stopper resources, https://speaker.asmdc.org/protect-yourself-scams-senior-scam-stopper-resources
• Senior Scam Stopper seminars (home repair & contractor scams), https://www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/senior_scam_stoppers/

Senior Centers in the United States

• To find a senior center near you in the United States, you can use an online directory  which lets you search by city and state, https://seniorcenters.com/senior-centers/

Senior Centers in California 

The California Department of Aging helps people find their county office, which connects people to senior centers and local programs, https://aging.ca.gov/

Finding Self-Defense Classes Near You | Suggestions for what to type in your internet browser: 

• In many areas of the United States, local police departments, city recreation programs, YMCAs, and senior centers offer free or low‑cost self‑defense or safety classes for older adults. You can contact your local senior center, parks and recreation department, or police community outreach office to ask about classes near you.
• You can also search online for ‘free self‑defense class for seniors’ plus the name of your city or county. Many short workshops are listed on event sites and city calendars.

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This episode contains explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 11, Lourdes talks about a form of discrimination many people may experience without recognizing it by name: ageism.

Through stories from the community and a personal story from a friend, she discusses how ageism can appear in everyday situations and how to respond when it happens.

The resources below include information about age discrimination as well as immigration rights and legal support discussed in the episode.

RESOURCES

Ageism and Age Discrimination:

• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – Age Discrimination at Work: what it is, how you’re protected, and how to file a complaint, https://www.eeoc.gov/age-discrimination
• American Society on Aging – Ageism Toolkits & Resources: practical guides and campaigns to help challenge ageism in your community, https://asaging.org/toolkits/
• Reframing Aging – Resources to help you talk about aging in more accurate, respectful ways, https://www.reframingaging.org/resources

If you are worried about ICE at home, work, or in your neighborhood, here are some resources in English and Spanish:

• National Immigrant Justice Center – “Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE” (flyers in simple language, English & Spanish), https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/
• Immigrant Defense Project – “Conozca sus derechos con ICE” (practical Spanish guidance about home visits, what to say, and what not to sign), https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/conozca-sus-derechos-con-ice/
• ACLU of Northern California – “Know Your Rights: If ICE Confronts You” (short, clear steps, including not opening the door without a warrant), https://www.aclunorcal.org/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-if-ice-confronts-you/

If someone you love is detained or you see ICE activity, these hotlines can help you understand what to do next:

• California Rapid Response Network (to find local hotlines, including LA), https://www.ccijustice.org/carrn
  • Los Angeles Raids and Rapid Response Network: (888) 624‑4752.
• Immigrant Defenders Law Center Rapid Response Legal Hotline (SoCal): (213) 833‑8283 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.),  https://www.immdef.org/contact

For legal help, planning, and local support in Los Angeles County:

• CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) – legal screenings, deportation defense help, and community education,  https://www.chirla.org/
  • Policy/advocacy/program info example: https://www.chirla.org/what-we-do/programs-initiatives/policy-advocacy/
• Immigrants Are LA Resources Hub – centralized information on rights, family safety planning, and local support in LA County, https://www.immigrantsarela.com/knowyourrights
• Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs – Know Your Rights Resource Hub, https://oia.lacounty.gov/kyr/

For listeners anywhere in the United States:

National Immigration Legal Services Directory – search for nonprofit immigration legal help by state and city, https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/

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After nearly a year away, Lourdes returns to the microphone in Episode 10 of Growing Older Together.

She explains why she stepped away from the podcast when her mother became ill and talks about returning after her mother’s passing. Lourdes also shares what has changed and why she was ready to begin recording again.

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In Episode 9, Lourdes explores the strengths that can come with being introverted.

She talks about the need for quiet, the value of listening and observation, and why introverts do not need to become more outgoing to have strong relationships or make an impact.

RESOURCES 

• Billie Gardner, Introvert VA Club, https://desiretodone.com/

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This episode contains explicit language and content. Listener discretion is advised.

In Episode 8, Lourdes speaks with Lilia about living with physical limitations, learning to prioritize her own well-being, and making decisions that allowed her to live more on her own terms.

Lilia also talks about experiences she kept to herself for years and what it meant to finally share her story.

RESOURCES

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), https://adaa.org/find-help-for/women/anxiety

American Psychological Associatoin (APA), https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/women-stress

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