After reviewing the funeral pre-plan that Karin led for Joanna - and finding out why Andrew sat that one out - the siblings sit down with social worker and funeral director Jodie Jacobs from The Ira Kaufman Chapel. The trio explores why end-of-life discussions don't have to be taboo or overly somber. Jodie shares how her background in hospice and grief counseling prepared her to help families navigate loss and breaks down the major benefits of pre-planning a funeral - from locking in costs to easing the emotional burden on grieving relatives. Along the way, the group discusses unique traditions, personal requests (including hits like "Happy Trails" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door"), and practical advice for talking with aging parents. And somehow, seeds are planted for a community funeral pre-planning party. Stay tuned.

irakaufman.com

After sharing Joanna's declining mobility journey and the on-the-job training they went through for how to handle it, Andrew and Karin welcome an expert they wish they had back then. Physical therapist Jill Magill talks about her work at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson's and how physical therapy serves as a lifelong commitment to movement. The conversation centers on practical strategies for supporting seniors, particularly those with cognitive decline or dementia who struggle to remember techniques or initiate exercise on their own. Jill shares hands-on advice for caregivers, covering safe techniques for assisting seniors out of chairs, evaluating falls, and avoiding common mistakes like pulling on arms to get up. She also highlights creative, stress-free ways to integrate mobility into daily routines - using music, counting, and short walks - and discusses how wearables and other monitored safety tech empower both seniors and their support networks. And before they go, Andrew shares a moment he'll never forget, thanks to Gibby.

kirkgibsoncenter.org

In this feel-good episode, the siblings sit down with Craig Bowerson - a chef at a senior home, and his wife Jessica - a senior home director. Their story went viral after they transformed a senior dining experience by bringing personal recipes and deep nostalgia into the kitchen. Craig details how he began gathering residents' treasured family recipes to make institutional dining feel like home, including recreating an entire restaurant experience complete with a live jazz band for a resident living with dementia. The couple opens up about their unexpected interest from Hollywood after a producer reached out about turning their story into a movie, as well as Craig's upcoming cookbook and non-profit initiative aimed at elevating food standards across nursing homes nationwide. Along the way, they share hilarious and touching moments—from Sunday fried chicken revolts and senior pie crust preferences, to navigating communication barriers with care—offering a deeply personal look at how food, compassion, and dignity can transform senior care.

Watch Craig's original viral moment on Instagram

Read Craig's feature on the TODAY Show

Saddle up folks. This one's heavy but so inspiring. Continuing our deep dive into long-term care insurance, we sit down with attorney, advocate, and Syracuse University consultant Danny Heumann, who opens up about his unexpected journey following a catastrophic car accident in 1985 that left him paralyzed at age 18. Driven by his experience over a 40-year journey, Danny shares how strategic self-advocacy and relentless persistence helped him navigate complex medical insurance systems to get to a "yes" when met with roadblocks. He details the vital importance of long-term care planning, highlighting how a comprehensive policy covered 80% of his mother's 24-hour in-home care late in life, and why he proactively secured long-term care coverage for his wife. Ultimately, Danny offers powerful advice for families facing sudden disability or aging, emphasizing the need for early planning, community support, and treating insurance advocacy as a necessary tool to protect one's dignity and future.

Our beloved caregiver, Latrice, is facing a huge financial challenge since her old car is beyond repair, and a new (used) one is beyond her reach. This is a situation that so many people, who are living paycheck to paycheck, face. And it begs the question: How do we take care of those who care for our loved ones? In this episode, we discuss this issue as it relates to Latrice and the larger scope of so many who are in similar positions. 

We have started a Gofundme to help Latrice get a car. Please donate using the attached link: https://gofund.me/e8ed30092

You can also listen to our previous episode, where we featured Latrice giving her perspective on what to look for in a reliable, warm-hearted caregiver: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WsPGI6nv82Zdye10K6kJh?si=GNFbG-VFRbOGT2A0r-CeiQ

In this episode, we kick off a brand-new series focused on navigating the complex world of long-term care insurance (LTC). Financial services veteran Raymond Lavine breaks down why the industry has historically gotten a "bad rap" and why so many people skip out on purchasing these specialized plans. Far from just an "old geezer" issue, Raymond highlights how unexpected illnesses, accidents, and early-stage cognitive shifts can happen at any stage of life—and how standard health insurance leaves a massive gap after 90 days. Sharing stories from his own serious health events to Raymond's own mother—who utilized her policy 18 years until she was 103!—this episode dives deep into the financial truth of senior care. Although many feel LTC is a wealthy family's solution, Raymond walks us through practical entry points for the wider public, including innovative new products and robust short-term care alternatives - aiming to deliver what we all want at our most vulnerable: attention, visibility, and choices.

Listener Call-Out: Have you navigated long-term care insurance for your own loved ones? Did it save your financial life, or did you hit unexpected roadblocks? Reach out to us for a chance to come on the show at [email protected], or connect on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn at If It's Not One Thing, It's Joanna.

In this moving episode, we sit down with environmental scientist turned dementia care advocate Jim Mangi, who opens up about his unexpected journey caring for his wife, Kathleen, following her early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Driven by his experience over their 17-year journey, Jim founded Dementia Friendly Services, a grassroots, independent, nonprofit aimed at helping individuals with dementia live in their communities with less difficulty and more dignity. Jim shares the profound impact of his "Memory Cafes"- vibrant, judgment-free social events featuring live music, drum circles, and interactive games. He also details his successful efforts certifying Saline and other Michigan municipalities as "Dementia-Friendly Communities" through education and first-responder training. Ultimately, Jim offers powerful advice for families navigating memory loss, reminding listeners that dementia is a disease of broken equipment, not a disgrace.

https://www.dementiafriendlyservices.org/

We dive back into the vital world of caregiving resources, emphasizing that finding support is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time task. Karin shares a serendipitous encounter at a dog park that introduced them to Julie Lowenthal from AgeWays (formerly the Area Agency on Aging) - an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families navigating aging and dementia. We discuss the overwhelming nature of tracking down these services, which, when found, become game changers for families. Julie not only reviews the broad support that AgeWays offers but also outlines the deeper realities of resource availability. She notes how many programs rely on government funding and community support, making awareness crucial as the "senior tsunami" approaches. Being proactive today, before crises occur is the best way to ensure peace of mind for tomorrow.

And CONTEST ALERT: We're on a mission to come up with a term for family members who become caregivers. Give us your submissions, and we shall announce a winner in an upcoming episode! Send your submissions to [email protected].

https://www.ageways.org/

https://www.ageways.org/caregiver-services/trualta-family-caregiver-online-learning/

In this much needed episode on mental health, the siblings sit down with Karen Faith Gordon, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in aging and elder care. After properly exorcising society's memetic tic of the "entitled Karen," the new soul sisters and Andrew dive into how to address the mental and emotional challenges around senior care. From seniors living with dementia to their families and caregivers walking alongside them, the emotional toll is undeniable - but there is help out there! Exploring everything from the delicate tradeoffs of living well vs living long to the value of sense-checking agonizing decisions with a community perspective, KFG helps us find moments of peace in the chaos.

https://karenfaith.llc/

In this episode, we embrace the gray areas of dementia care with help from Dr. Catherine Madison, author of Navigating Memory Loss: Essential Questions And Answers On Alzheimer's And Dementia. Dr Madison introduces us to anosognosia - when we don't remember what we don't remember - and how to cope with it. We discuss the challenge and necessity of unlearning things we were taught as children, and how Hogeweyk - an innovative dementia village in the Netherlands is letting things happen. There’s a bittersweet update on Mom’s new penchant for solo musical numbers and tips for the tough work of crafting end of life instructions while you still can. 

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Memory-Loss-Essential-Alzheimers/dp/B0FMGR232F

https://www.mdmemorycare.com/

https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/