Welcome!

In this episode of Real Conversations About Aging Parents, I delve into the 'where' aspect of caregiving, discussing the different living arrangements for aging loved ones. I cover considerations for aging in place, independent living, assisted living, long-term care, and memory care. I emphasize the importance of the physical and social environment, geographical proximity of caregivers, and the financial implications of each option. This episode is the third part of a series designed to help listeners structure their approach to caregiving, following previous discussions on 'who' and 'what' in caregiving scenarios.

00:00 Introduction to Aging Parents Series

00:35 Recap of Previous Episodes

01:08 Where: The Importance of Location in Care

01:49 Home Modifications for Aging in Place

03:10 Community and Social Connections

09:17 Proximity and Caregiving Dynamics

16:29 Independent and Assisted Living Options

21:36 Long-Term and Memory Care Considerations

26:26 Conclusion and Next Steps

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

Part 2 of our miniseries where I dive into the 'What' aspect of supporting aging parents. This is the second part of a six-part series exploring different facets of caregiving.

**Time:**

- Description: Time as a crucial resource in caregiving

- Examples of time-consuming tasks: transportation, case management, paperwork, and indirect care

- Stress factors: limited time availability, especially for mid-career caregivers with other responsibilities

- Flexible caregivers: retired individuals or those with more available time

- Importance of supporting those who provide indirect care

**Touch:**

- Description: Direct caregiving tasks and their high demand on time and emotional resources

- Personal hygiene: challenges and cultural sensitivities

- Different preferences of elders regarding family involvement in personal care

- Roles of direct caregivers and the significant impact on the caregiving ecosystem

- Encouragement of support for direct caregivers to prevent burnout and ensure longevity

**Treasure:**

- Financial resources required for caregiving

- Fixed incomes of aging parents and rising costs of care

- Informal caregiving as a cost avoidance mechanism

- Financial strain on families and the ecosystem

- Importance of recognizing and supporting caregivers who save costs for the system

- Branch points for conserving or expending financial resources, including Medicare choices

- Awareness of the financial situations of independently wealthy elders and their potential future needs

- Complexities of family financial contributions and decisions

**Key Takeaways:**

- Understanding the types of support (Time, Touch, Treasure) helps in managing caregiving responsibilities more effectively

- Support systems are crucial for both direct and indirect caregivers

- Financial planning and resource allocation are vital for sustainable caregiving

- Using neutral language can help reduce stress and make caregiving discussions easier

Feel free to let me know if there are specific areas you'd like to focus more on or if you'd like additional details added to any section!

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

Establishing My Affection and Duty List

In this episode I introduce a six-part series designed to help you navigate the complexities of supporting aging parents. I start by focusing on the 'who,' proposing the creation of an Affection and Duty List (ADL) to categorize individuals you might support. Using scales to measure affection (from -5 to +5) and duty (from 0 to 10), I discuss how emotions and obligations intertwine. Emphasizing the importance of connection, I encourage you to understand the underlying reasons for your feelings towards those on your list. This episode aims to give you a structured approach to identifying who in your orbit may require support now or in the future.

00:00 Introduction to the Series

01:33 Understanding the 'Who' in Caregiving

05:35 Affection and Duty: The ADL List

06:55 Affection Scale Explained

10:06 Duty Scale Explained

12:50 Combining Affection and Duty Scores

25:35 Fluidity of Affection and Duty Over Time

31:32 Conclusion and Next Steps

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Website: rebeccatapiamd.com

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode I interview social gerontologist Benjamin Surmi and we discuss various aspects of aging, from professional roles in senior living to the importance of community and the different types of senior living arrangements available today.

Introduction

What Is Social Gerontology?

Academic Path to Gerontology

Work in Senior Living Communities

Designing Senior Living Experiences

Types of Senior Living Communities

Financial Considerations

Role of Long-Term Care Insurance

Chooser a Senior Living Community

Innovative and Future Trends

More information About Benjamin Surmi and his communities:

Koelsch Communities' website: https://koelschseniorcommunities.com

Koelsch Communities' social media: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KoelschCommunitiesLLC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koelschcommunities/

Benjamin Surmi's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminsurmi/

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Link to my website

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode I discuss various broad types of mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes) just to give you an insight into how and when they are used to help people getting from point A to point B.

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Website: rebeccatapiamd.com

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode I review several pitfalls related to discharging from a hospital or rehab setting.

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode I talk about the visual experience of aging loved ones, what the nuerological basis is for these interactions, and some tips on how to adjust over time.

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode of Real Conversations About Aging Parents, host Rebecca Tapia talks with Doug about his personal journey with his aging mother, who is currently in a nursing home. Doug shares insights into the emotional and logistical challenges involved, including the impact of his father's early death, his brother's passing, and his mother's health issues due to weight gain. The discussion covers the importance of pre-planning, having candid conversations about future care, and the financial and administrative aspects of long-term nursing home care. Doug also reflects on the emotional toll and the continuous need to adapt and find practical solutions.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:29 Doug's Background and Family History

01:28 Challenges with Aging Parents

04:44 Health Issues and Assisted Living Decisions

06:42 Transition to Nursing Home

11:40 Maintaining the Household

12:07 Selling the Car

12:43 Rising Costs of Care

13:52 Living Arrangements and Acceptance

14:26 Financial Concerns and Future Planning

14:54 Health and Support System

15:34 Challenges of Moving

16:20 Symbiotic Relationships

20:12 Power of Attorney and Financial Oversight

21:20 Preparing for the Future

25:00 Adapting to Nursing Home Life

25:53 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode I get to interview another volleyball parent, Mike, who shares a valuable journey in caring for his Mom who has worsening dementia.

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.

Welcome!

In this episode we discuss navigating Elder Care Challenges with Frances Reeves

In this insightful episode of 'Real Conversations About Aging Parents,' host Rebecca welcomes Frances Reeves, an accomplished attorney and author. Frances shares her deeply personal journey dealing with her parents' aging process, including her mother's dementia and her father's cognitive decline. She discusses the challenges of long-term care insurance, Medicaid, and the emotional turmoil of caregiving. Frances also offers practical advice for adult children facing similar situations and touches on the importance of planning and elder care resources. The conversation covers a range of topics from financial planning to the emotional complexities of caring for aging parents.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:38 Frances Reeves' Passion for Elder Care

01:39 Personal Journey with Aging Parents

02:39 Challenges of Long-Term Care

07:35 Navigating Long-Term Care Insurance

13:57 Transition to Assisted Living

22:07 Advice for Caregivers

25:22 Navigating Complex Parent-Child Relationships

26:16 Personal Struggles and Growth

30:08 Dealing with Estranged Parents

31:42 Transition to Elder Care Law

32:46 Challenges in Elder Care

38:27 Future Projects and Philosophies

40:03 Support Systems and Resources

44:25 Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

49:38 Conclusion and Contact Information

H. Frances Reaves is an elder law attorney and author of Boomers Booming: How to Thrive After 65. Frances is the founder of Parent Your Parents (PYP), an organization dedicated to providing seniors with access to benefits and resources while safeguarding them from scams and exploitation. PYP offers a comprehensive approach, including legal support, therapy, and medical record reviews, ensuring that seniors and their families make informed decisions to create meaningful final chapters in their lives.

More info at: https://parentyourparents.com/expert/frances-reaves/

If you are finding value in this podcast, please share and leave a review so others can find it too!

Rebecca

Caveats:

• This is a judgement free zone
• There are no "shoulds" allowed, we live in curiosity
• Take what works well for you, leave the rest!
• This podcast is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as formal legal, financial or medical advice

Disclaimer: The information presented on this podcast is solely for information purposes. We do not provide medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice through this podcast and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. It is your responsibility to seek advice from a licensed professional. Any actions you take are done at your own risk.