Death is inevitable, dying badly is not. A good death is achievable, and this Chris Palmer explains how. There is an art to dying well that can be taught and learned. While death is inevitable, dying badly is not. 

This practical guide to achieving a good death will reduce the fear that often cloaks discussions about death and dying and give readers the knowledge and skills to achieve a peaceful and gentle death. With the multiple options available at the end of life, people can design and direct their end-of-life journey so they have as fulfilling and meaningful life as possible right up to the end and achieve the elusive good death when the time comes. 

Produced in partnership with Senior Services Alliance

Chris Palmer 

• [email protected]
• https://chrispalmeronline.com

Handouts:

• Legacy_Ways to Strengthen It Nov 2024.docx
• MAID essay for LFV Feb 2025.docx
• Death Book Appendix IV.docx
• Death book Appendix II.docx
• Death book Appendix I.docx

Greg Cantori joins Steve Gurney to challenge how we think about home safety. Drawing parallels to the evolution of car safety, Greg makes a compelling case for why grab bars and handrails should be standard in every home—just like seat belts in vehicles. From preventing falls to embracing universal design, this conversation offers real-world solutions to help people of all ages live safely and independently.

They explore the stigma around safety features, how thoughtful design can be both beautiful and functional, and the bold idea that accessible homes should be the default, not the exception.

Whether you're a caregiver, a designer, or simply someone who wants to age in place with dignity, this episode will shift your perspective on what it means to create truly safe and inclusive living spaces.

🔗 Watch the full episode on https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/we-buckle-up-in-cars%E2%80%94why-not-in-the-bathroom

Steve Gurney of Positive Aging Community for a heartfelt panel discussion recorded live at The Residences at Thomas Circle. Residents Mark McElreath and Bert Kubli, a gay couple, share their powerful life stories—from childhood and military service to marriages, coming out, and finding self-acceptance later in life. They reflect on the importance of supportive communities and the positive environment they’ve found at Thomas Circle.

This episode explores the intersections of aging, LGBTQ+ rights, and the changing landscape of senior living. Listen in as the panelists discuss building safe spaces, overcoming challenges, and celebrating authenticity. The event wraps up with an engaging Q&A session and opportunities for connection and community.

Whether you’re an older adult, a family member, or a professional in senior living, this conversation offers inspiration, resources, and practical insights on embracing diversity and fostering inclusion.

The Milken Institute's Future of Aging team, led by Lauren Dunning, has released a new report titled "The Future of Connected Care: Enabling Healthy Longevity and Aging at Home." This report addresses the growing preference and necessity for aging at home, highlighting that 97.5% of older adults over 65 live in non-institutional settings. It explores the role of technology in creating a connected care ecosystem that integrates older adults with their environments, families, and healthcare providers. The report identifies six building blocks for action to enhance awareness, adoption, and access to age tech solutions, emphasizing the need for infrastructure to facilitate data exchange and the development of digital front doors for personalized health insights. The urgency of this initiative is underscored by demographic shifts, shortages in direct care workers, and the increasing number of solo agers. The report calls for collaboration across sectors to address these challenges and improve the aging experience through technology. The Milken Institute continues to advance research in this area, aiming to support healthy longevity and financial security for all generations.https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/reports/transcending-age-based-divides-case-scaling-intergenerational-solutions

A conversation between Steve Gurney from Positive Aging Community and Abhishek Mohanty from Careflick, discussing the development of AI companions designed to support older adults.  Abhishek explains that Careflick aims to provide companionship and engagement for seniors, helping them stay connected with family members and maintain their mental and emotional well-being. 

The AI companions offer personalized interactions, including video calls, trivia games, and mood tracking, while also providing practical assistance like medication reminders.  The technology is set to launch soon, with plans for a closed user group to test its effectiveness. 

Steve expresses enthusiasm for the potential of AI companions to enhance the lives of seniors, highlighting their ability to offer meaningful conversations and support. The discussion also touches on the importance of addressing potential challenges and gathering feedback from users to refine the technology. 

View the recording https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/how-ai-companions-are-transforming-senior-care-a-conversation-with-careflick 

To be included in the user group visit https://www.careflick.com/ or reach out to [email protected]

Discussion between Steve Gurney of Positive Aging Community and Lindsay Dymowski from Centennial Pharmacy Services, focusing on the challenges within the healthcare industry, particularly regarding pharmacy services for the chronically ill and aging populations. Lindsay, who owns a pharmacy, highlights the complexities faced by patients due to the high costs of medications and the insurance processes like step therapy and prior authorizations. She emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy and the role of pharmacists in navigating these challenges. The conversation also explores the differences in insurance structures, including Medicare and Medicaid, and the impact of insurance formularies on medication costs. Lindsay suggests that a system with higher premiums but zero copays could improve medication adherence and health outcomes. The discussion concludes with insights into the global pricing disparities of medications and the potential benefits of increased transparency and education in the healthcare system.

Lindsay Dymowski is President of Centennial Pharmacy Services, a leading medication-at-home pharmacy, and co-founder and principal of The Centennial Group, a pharmacy management company supporting community pharmacies and health systems. Combining her over 15 years of pharmacy experience with her entrepreneurial spirit, Lindsay knows exactly what drives successful pharmacies, launches collaborative provider programs, and gets the attention of payers - and it’s not dispensing medications. It’s how well you can support an organization's goals to better health outcomes with patient-centric pharmacy care. 

Passionate about the business of pharmacy and its future in healthcare, Lindsay has presented at national conferences, received media coverage throughout various outlets, designed continuing education curriculum, and currently sits on several boards committed to the advancement of the practice of pharmacy. Along with operating Centennial, Lindsay is a wife, mother and novice gardener. Lindsay has been featured in Mcknights and MPR among other publications.

Transcript America's frustration with the Health Care Industry.pdf

 Watch video here https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/america-s-frustration-with-the-health-care-industry

Learn about The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) a new model and how it can help you, your loved ones, and clients. The GUIDE Model aims to: + Improve quality of life for people living with dementia + Reduce stress on unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia + Connect to community resources, lessen Emergency Department and hospital utilization, and improve outcomes 

The Positive Aging Community recently hosted a discussion featuring Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, a cognitive behavioral neurologist, and Tyler M. Lloyd, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, focusing on dementia care and the CMS-approved Guide program. Dr. Pauldurai shared insights into cognitive impairments and dementia, emphasizing the importance of understanding different types of dementia and the need for personalized treatment plans. She highlighted the significance of early diagnosis and the availability of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Tyler Lloyd introduced the Guide program, which aims to support unpaid caregivers and delay nursing home placements for individuals with dementia. The program offers free resources, including care navigation and respite care, for those with traditional Medicare and a dementia diagnosis. The discussion underscored the importance of community resources and support systems in managing dementia care, encouraging caregivers to seek help and utilize available programs to alleviate the challenges of caregiving.

• Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai board-certified neurologist Inova Health System
• Tyler M. Lloyd, CDP GUIDE Dementia Program Manager

Transcript audio1336239963.pdf

Recording link https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/guiding-an-improved-dementia-experience-guide-model-7891

The Positive Aging Community hosted a discussion focusing on the unique challenges faced by spouses who become caregivers for their partners, particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia. Steve Gurney introduced Susie Sarkisian, a certified life coach with extensive experience in supporting family members of aging individuals. Susie shared her personal journey, emphasizing the importance of supporting spouses who care for their partners, a topic often overlooked in caregiving discussions.

The session featured Paul, a caregiver for his wife Maureen, who shared his heartfelt story. Paul recounted their life together, the gradual realization of Maureen's cognitive decline, and the steps he took to provide care, from increasing household help to eventually moving Maureen to a memory care unit. He highlighted the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving, the phases of denial, acceptance, and the importance of seeking help and maintaining one's own life.

Susie outlined the stages spouses typically experience, from denial to acceptance, and emphasized the importance of flexibility, positive attitude, and knowing one's needs. Paul's journey was marked by his proactive approach, seeking support from Susie and maintaining social connections, which helped him navigate the caregiving path.

The discussion underscored the value of professional support and community resources in caregiving, offering hope and guidance to those in similar situations. Paul's story, shared with transparency and openness, provided a powerful testament to the resilience and love inherent in caregiving relationships.

Susie Sarkisian A certified professional coach with 15 years experience supporting families of older adults.

• https://www.susiesarkisian.com/

Full Transcript well spouse discussion.pdf

Video of the discussion at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/the-journey-of-the-well-spouse-a-caregiving-story

A discussion between Steve Gurney from Positive Aging Community and two leaders in cognitive health, Dr. Doug Elwood, Chief Medical Officer at Sunday Health, and Dr. Emer MacSweeney, founder and CEO of Recognition Health. The conversation highlights an innovative partnership aimed at improving access to cognitive care and early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's. Sunday Health offers modern cognitive care practices, focusing on early identification and preventive care, while Recognition Health provides advanced diagnostic services and access to clinical trials for new medications.  

The collaboration enables seamless patient referrals for clinical trials and treatments, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. The discussion also covers the evolving landscape of Alzheimer's treatments, including new medications that target amyloid protein in the brain, and the significance of modifiable risk factors in cognitive health. The speakers stress the urgency of early detection and treatment, likening the approach to managing chronic conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The partnership aims to revolutionize cognitive care by providing timely access to cutting-edge treatments and comprehensive support for patients. 

More details at 

• https://www.sundayhealth.org/ 
• https://www.recognitionhealthusa.com/

The Positive Aging Community hosted a compelling and interactive discussion with the Purple Heart Foundation, co-hosted by Jim Hatch. The event, now available to watch on YouTube, brought together experts and advocates dedicated to supporting veterans, particularly as they transition into civilian life and explore new career opportunities.

Jim Hatch, representing the Purple Heart Foundation, opened the conversation by sharing his personal connection to the military and the foundation’s evolving mission. With deep roots in serving wounded veterans, the foundation is now focused on staying relevant to the needs of modern veterans-especially those navigating life after service.

A central theme of the discussion was the unique opportunity for veterans in the death care industry. Kenny Johnson, founder of Sunbeam 369, and Mike Henshaw, both passionate advocates for veterans, highlighted how this field can be both meaningful and practical for those transitioning from military service.

• Pre-Planning and Green Burials: The panel emphasized the importance of pre-planning for end-of-life care, not only for peace of mind but also for financial and emotional well-being. Green burials were spotlighted as an eco-friendly and increasingly popular option.

• Career Pathways: The death care industry offers stable, rewarding careers for veterans. The skills and discipline gained in the military translate well to this field, which requires compassion, organization, and a strong sense of service.

• Certification and Training: The Sunbeam 369 Institute is launching a new training program to certify funeral service providers as Veterans Burial Benefits Specialists. This initiative aims to ensure that veterans and their families fully understand and utilize the burial benefits they have earned.

The discussion underscored a critical gap: many veterans are unaware of the full range of burial benefits available to them. By educating both veterans and funeral service professionals, organizations like the Purple Heart Foundation and Sunbeam 369 are working to bridge this gap, ensuring that those who have served receive the dignity and support they deserve.

As the Positive Aging Community continues to foster dialogue around aging, service, and support, this event stands out as a testament to the power of collaboration. By connecting veterans with meaningful career opportunities and vital resources, these organizations are not only honoring service but also paving the way for brighter, more secure futures.

Watch the full discussion: Positive Aging Community with the Purple Heart Foundation

For more information on veteran burial benefits, career training, or to get involved, visit the Purple Heart Foundation and Sunbeam 369 websites.