Welcome to the Sage Aging Podcast! In this episode, host Liz Craven sits down with Dr. Tonya LaLonde, a Doctor of Audiology at Central Florida Speech and Hearing, to unravel the mysteries of hearing loss and hearing aids.

Did you know that approximately one in three people in the US between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss? And that number jumps to nearly one in two for those older than 75? Untreated hearing loss can lead to a range of problems, including increased risk of cognitive decline.

In this informative discussion, you'll discover:

👂 The main types of hearing loss and how they differ from each other.

🔊 The most common type of hearing loss.

🤔 How to differentiate between hearing aids and other medical interventions.

🚩 The signs that someone might have hearing loss and need a hearing aid.

⏰ Why early intervention is crucial in treating hearing loss.

💰 The financial investment associated with hearing aids and what to be cautious of.

🎧 A comparison between over-the-counter hearing aids and professionally fitted ones.

👂👂 The difference between consulting an audiologist and a hearing aid dispenser, and why you might choose one over the other.

🧠 The link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Join Liz and Dr. LaLonde on this journey to enhance your understanding of hearing health. If you or someone you care about is dealing with hearing loss or considering hearing aids, this episode is a must-listen!

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Thank you for tuning in to the Sage Aging Podcast. Let's dive into the world of hearing loss and hearing aids!

If you enjoyed this episode of Sage Aging, please subscribe and share the podcast with a friend. If you have topic ideas you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected].

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Do you have a loved one whose home is filled to the brim with their belongings, making it hard to even navigate the rooms? It's not an uncommon scene, and you might be surprised to learn that a lot of people, especially older adults, struggle with this issue. In this episode, we're delving into the world of chronic disorganization and hoarding among older adults.

Nicole Ramer is the founder and President of Organized Haven, a full-service moving, downsizing, and estate clearing company, Organized Haven employs a team of Professional Organizers, Senior Move Managers®, and Relocation Specialists/Movers.

• The ICD Clutter-Hoarding Scale
• The ICD Clutter Quality of Life Scale
• Buried in Treasures - Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding, David F. Tolin, Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee
• I’m Right Here - 10 Ways to Get Help for Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization, Jill B. Yesko, CPO, SMM~C
• Conquering Chronic Disorganization, Judith Kolberg
• Digging Out - Helping Your Love dOne Manage Clutter, Hoarding & Compulsive Acquiring, Michael A. Tompkins, Ph.D. & Tamara L. Hartl, Ph.D.
• Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff - Declutter, Downsize, and Move Forward with Your Life, Matt Paxton
• National Association of Senior Move Managers

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For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

Hindsight is 20/20. If you could turn back time on a difficult time in your life, what advice would you give yourself? Tune in to learn 5 things I would tell my new caregiver self.

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For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

Transitioning from the family home to senior living can be a daunting task for older adults and their families. The process of downsizing, selling the family home, and finding the right senior living community can be overwhelming. However, using a senior real estate specialist (SRES) can make the transition easier. SRESs have expertise in assisting older clients with their unique needs and concerns. They can provide guidance and support throughout the entire process, helping older adults and their families navigate the complex real estate market and find the right living situation to fit their needs and lifestyle.

Donna Kay Dinkins is YOUR Seniors Real Estate Specialist® at Focus Group Florida at Keller Williams Lakeland. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist®, Donna received specialized education to help those age 50+ through lifestyle transitions involving relocation, refinancing, or selling the family home.  

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) is a designation by the National Association of Realtors that gives you the knowledge and expertise to guide homebuyers and sellers over the age of 50 through major financial and lifestyle transitions.

• Area Agency on Aging Locator
• The Senior Connection Center
• Downsizing Without the Stress (Episode 4)
• Aging in Place vs Downsizing (Episode 64)
• Moving in the Right Direction: The Senior's Guide to Moving and Downsizing
• Find an SRES

If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and share it with a friend or two.

For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

Daily money management can be a sore topic for some families of older adults. 90% of adults will tell you that they would prefer to age in place. That makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Who wouldn't want to stay in their own home for as long as possible? But as we age, some of the everyday tasks we have always managed, like money management and paying bills, may become too much. We'd all like to think we will always be able to manage without assistance, but what happens when we can't? In this episode, we explore how a Daily Money manager can help.

I was joined for this conversation by Heather Riner. Heather is the founder of Atlas Financial Consulting, which she established in 2021 after gaining ten years of experience in various financial sectors. These include wealth management, investments, trusts, and banking. She became a Daily Money Manager, helping clients by taking care of their day-to-day financial tasks and providing hands-on support to improve their financial lives. Heather is a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers.

• Episode 35: Using a Daily Money Manager
• Episode 28: What is Cybercrime and How Do I Protect Myself?
• American Association of Daily Money Managers

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For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

According to the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, more than 800k adults live in assisted living communities. But when it comes to considering a transition to assisted living, people often have reservations. Fear of a loss of independence, leaving the family home, and a myriad of misconceptions keep older adults from making a change that would bring a higher quality of life. In this episode, we will bust the most common myths about assisted living.

Laura Tenpenny is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Lake Gibson Village in Lakeland, FL. Laura’s career began in the hospitality industry, later transitioning to senior living.  With over 20 years of experience, Laura understands how the assisted living lifestyle can improve older adults' quality of life by offering meaningful personal care, nutritious meals, and vibrant social interaction and activities.  

Connect with Laura: [email protected], LinkedIn

• Assisted Living Questions to Ask Worksheet
• Veterans Association Aid and Attendance Benefits

If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and share it with a friend or two.

For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

Decoding Medicare isn't necessarily easy, but it's not as difficult as you may think when you understand the basics. With Open (annual) Enrollment upon us, Karen Dean, licensed Agent, joined me to break down the alphabet soup of Medicare to help you gain a better understanding the what is available to you.

Karen Dean is a licensed agent at DFG & Associates in Lakeland, FL. She provides guidance and assistance in choosing the Medicare plan that is right for you. Learn more about DFG & Associates here.

Contact Karen: [email protected], 863-797-4102

• Medicare.gov - you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
• Medicare & You handbook - This is the official US government handbook. If you are Medicare-eligible you should have received it in the mail. If not you can call the Medicare number above.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): SHIPs provide free, local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers. Use this link to locate your local program or call 1-877-839-2675. In Florida, visit floridashine.org/.
• Connect with your local Area Agency on Aging to find local resources, check for benefits, and plan for long-term care.

If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and share it with a friend or two.

For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

In this episode, I was joined by author Susanne White to discuss the four key areas of caregiver wellness and the importance of caregiver self-care. Susanne's approach is light-hearted and relatable.

A former family caregiver herself, Susanne White is also known as the "Caregiver Warrior" and she actively works to empower family caregivers along their caregiving journey.

Connect with Susanne:

• https://www.caregiverwarrior.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/caregiverwarrior/
• https://www.facebook.com/caregiverwarrior
• https://twitter.com/CaregiveWarrior
• https://www.pinterest.com/caregivewarrior/

• Episode 15: Suddenly a Caregiver, Now What?! with Susanne White
• Self-Care for Caregivers by Susanne White

If you enjoyed this episode please subscribe and share it with a friend or two.

For more great content and caregiving resources, visit us online at ElderCareGuide.com

Managing chronic medical conditions is something most of us will have to do at one point or another. In this episode of the Sage Aging podcast, I was joined by David Chandler, Senior Director of Strategic Programs for Senior Helpers, to discuss. Click above to listen or view the conversation in its entirety.

• The prevalence of chronic medical conditions
• The importance of managing chronic medical conditions
• The 5 key areas to assess for identifying the risk of hospitalization
• Strategies for managing chronic conditions and successfully aging in place

• National Council on Aging (NCOA)
• Healthy People 2030
• US Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Aging Resources

• Episode 65: Older Adult Mental Health with Penny Williams
• Episode 68 & 69: Ace Your Next Doctor Appointment with Sandra Washington
• Episode 70: What is Normal Anyway? with Georgiana Goodson

If you enjoyed this episode of Sage Aging, please subscribe and share the podcast with a friend. If you have topic ideas you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected].

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A Caregiver's life is anything but normal. When we are caring for an aging loved one. It's very easy to let the chaos of the day take over. Ultimately, we let the things that bring us pleasure and joy fall by the wayside. The same is true for those receiving care. Sometimes this happens so gradually as needs increase that we don't even realize what has happened. What is "normal," anyway? "Normal" looks different for everyone. Every family dynamic is unique and so are the changes families experience while caregiving.

Georgiana Goodson, Community Relations Manager for Senior Helpers Lakeland joined me to discuss maintaining a sense of normalcy in a caregiving situation. Georgiana dropped a lot of great insight during our conversation. Click the player to listen in or head over to our YouTube channel to watch the episode.

Senior Connection Center

The Alzheimer's Association

Teepa Snow

Senior Helpers

Aging Life Care Association

Sage Aging Podcast Episode 6: Home Care Vs Home Health Care

Sage Aging Podcast Episode 8: Life Care Managers

If you enjoyed this episode of Sage Aging, please subscribe and share the podcast with a friend. If you have topic ideas you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at [email protected].

For more great content, please subscribe to our newsletter. You can also find Sage Aging on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.