The secret to living longer and happier is to spend more time together with those you enjoy being with. In this episode, the hosts and guest discuss how to make the most of those encounters and live a happier life.

The guest in this podcast episode, Trevor Smith, spent the first fifteen years of his career as a Recreation Therapist in the social services sector using laughter and creative, improvisational techniques to bring about transformation in those whom he counseled. In recent years, Trevor has turned his focus on supporting growth in the legal profession and the banking industry. He is further expanding his training opportunities to meet the professional development needs of a broad range of organizations.

His work promotes self-confidence, creative problem solving and effective communication. Both in his career and in his personal life, Trevor values his ability to make people feel comfortable and supported in the learning process, and he is driven to create positive change and explore the possibilities for his clients in his nontraditional learning environment.

Trevor holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Curry College in Milton, Mass.; a master’s degree in education from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.; and a master’s in counseling psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. He is a Certified Laughter Leader through the World Laughter Tour, an international clearinghouse for a global grassroots laughter movement." Therapeutic laughter is an activity akin to ancient practices such as yoga and meditation.

Contact Trevor: (413) 204-8308
[email protected]

Therapeutic laughter reduces stress and negative thoughts, provides a great cardiovascular workout, provides increased energy, improves collegial relationships, improves morale and so much more. Trevor Smith believes there are many simple things that seniors can do make life happier for themselves and others. He introduces the LAUGHTER CLUB and five principles they teach that increases happiness.

The guest in this podcast episode, Trevor Smith, spent the first fifteen years of his career as a Recreation Therapist in the social services sector using laughter and creative, improvisational techniques to bring about transformation in those whom he counseled. In recent years, Trevor has turned his focus on supporting growth in the legal profession and the banking industry. He is further expanding his training opportunities to meet the professional development needs of a broad range of organizations.

His work promotes self-confidence, creative problem solving and effective communication. Both in his career and in his personal life, Trevor values his ability to make people feel comfortable and supported in the learning process, and he is driven to create positive change and explore the possibilities for his clients in his nontraditional learning environment.

Trevor holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Curry College in Milton, Mass.; a master’s degree in education from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.; and a master’s in counseling psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. He is a Certified Laughter Leader through the World Laughter Tour, an international clearinghouse for a global grassroots laughter movement." Therapeutic laughter is an activity akin to ancient practices such as yoga and meditation.

Contact Trevor: (413) 204-8308
[email protected]

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
We think that most people know that before choosing a Medicare plan, they must think about options carefully. Many recommend that we read through the information that is available on all the plans, talk to our doctor and friends who have Medicare. Compare the costs, benefits, and quality of the plans you are considering. But it's equally important to know what the risks are to picking the WRONG plan.

ABOUT THE GUEST:
Traci has been a licensed insurance agent for over 10 years.  In 2012 she was recognized as a woman of F.I.R.E. (Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate).  She is also an ambassador to the Connecticut Agency on Aging.  Traci also served as co-chair for the New Haven Walk to End Alzheimer's.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
Senior Wishes CT is a 501C3 that believes that a thriving senior population is an important part of a strong community.  To that end, our goal is to enrich the lives of senior citizens in Connecticut by granting them wishes that will improve their lives and as a result enhance the community they call home. Providing much needed items or services to assist seniors in need, Senior Wishes CT is helping older adults, one wish at a time. 

ABOUT THE GUEST:
As a Medicare/Medicaid insurance consultant to senior citizens, Senior Wishes CT co-founder Traci O’Brien has spent a lot of time in senior centers, senior housing, food banks and pantries. Her years of working with seniors exposed her to the multitude of needs (outside of healthcare) that many of our older population face.

Traci has met senior citizens who couldn’t afford Christmas presents for their grandkids or even a bus ticket to visit them. Others had appliances breaking down or the need for a certain type of therapeutic shoe (that insurance wouldn’t cover it) -- none of which was in their limited budget.  

Compelled to help, Traci was using her own funds to “grant wishes” to these people but it wasn’t a sustainable solution. So Senior Wishes CT was born.  Traci’s best friend Christine Brown who also works in the insurance industry came onboard to propel the concept into reality. Together their goal is to improve the lives of senior in need, one wish at a time.

An interview with Liz Cornish, owner of New Season In Life, LLC.  The show hosts asked her how one would find the WORST assisted living facility to place a parent. Through this exercise, we actually brought out the steps for finding the BEST facility available.

Liz Cornish's company specializes in providing information and guiding seniors and their families through the maze of Assisted Living and Memory Care in Connecticut. Liz’s passion for helping seniors stems from her more than 30 years of experience as a Physical Therapist.

Liz has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals and skilled nursing homes. She has spent most of her years providing Physical Therapy to seniors in their homes and in Senior Living Communities. This has provided her the opportunity to work in the majority of Senior Living Communities throughout Connecticut. She provides her insight and extensive knowledge of each of the Senior Living Communities in Greater Hartford and Litchfield. Liz continues to work as a home care Physical Therapist in the Farmington Valley.

She enjoys the outdoors and spends many weekends hiking the trails throughout Connecticut and New England with her family. Here is how to get in touch with Liz, call her at (860) 841-9504 or visit her website.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
An interview with Liz Cornish, owner of New Season In Life, LLC.  We can't help but worry about whether we will suffer from Alzhiemer's Disease when we get older. To minimize those worries, here are six things anyone can do to reduce the chances.

Liz Cornish's company specializes in providing information and guiding seniors and their families through the maze of Assisted Living and Memory Care in Connecticut. Liz’s passion for helping seniors stems from her more than 30 years of experience as a Physical Therapist.

Liz has worked in a variety of healthcare settings including hospitals and skilled nursing homes. She has spent most of her years providing Physical Therapy to seniors in their homes and in Senior Living Communities. This has provided her the opportunity to work in the majority of Senior Living Communities throughout Connecticut. She provides her insight and extensive knowledge of each of the Senior Living Communities in Greater Hartford and Litchfield. Liz continues to work as a home care Physical Therapist in the Farmington Valley.

She enjoys the outdoors and spends many weekends hiking the trails throughout Connecticut and New England with her family. Here is how to get in touch with Liz, call her at (860) 841-9504 or visit her website.

EPISODE DETAILS:  Having brutally hard conversations with your kids
There is a biological aspect to aging that we are reminded of daily, thanks medicine commercials!  I'm watching families implode or just disengage because their parents who don't want to be a burden on them don't prepare, refuse to talk about things, are in denial and shut the kids out.

It all starts by being honest with yourself - I know your well intended kids keep trying to alleviate burdens which feels like stripping independence, when we need some help, we need some help.  You can see the pill dispenser still has Saturday's pills in there, you know your back is absolutely killing you and mowing feels impossible.

Allow yourself to be transparent and share information - we're all so super private but this is a huge problem as your kids are trying to untangle the complexities of the business aspect of your life if they don't have any information.

Be willing to be uncomfortable - we avoid these conversations because they're uncomfortable, well I assure you, so is all the things that are about to follow if you don't have the conversations.  You can get through these conversations with compassion and grace for yourself and your kids.

Finally, be proactive -how do you see things playing out?  I hear people say "I want to stay home" well, what does that look like, what resources need to be in place, what modifications need to be made. Get the paperwork done, I had a POA at 30, because it's the adult responsible thing to do.

ABOUT THE GUEST:
Michele Magner has a passion for connecting with people as we navigate the adventures of aging and family caregiving! As an experienced family caregiver, with many years in the Senior Living industry, she understands the challenges we are facing as we care for those we love.

A lifelong learner, Michele is a Certified Life Coach, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Conscious Aging facilitator. She earned her Masters Certificate in Gerontology through UNO. She is the Co-Chair for the 2022 Omaha Walk to End Alzheimer’s, a proud sponsor of OWLISH, and supporter of the Dreamweaver Foundation.  She continues to share fresh content and ideas through her podcast, Inspired Caring, in addition to classes, 1:1 and group coaching.

Email Michele at [email protected] or visit her website https://michelemagner.com/

ABOUT THE EPISODE:
Top 2 leading factors to how we will age are (1) our mindset and (2) our social influences. Our guest Michele Magner talk about outdated information based on historical statistics, language we use with ourselves and others, marketing is relentless. She says that your mind is the most powerful tool in your body - you can shift your thoughts on aging, old dog new tricks (you are not a dog!), what do you want? who are your role models? what is your vision? If anyone will lead this revolution it's our baby boomer generation, we've never been these ages before, so show me what 75 can look like as healthy and vibrant!

Then she discusses that fact that you deserve more from your life - we're living longer but lacking quality over quantity, keep moving your body, be aware of rampant ageism in social media, who are you spending your time with?  People say "oh I don't want to live in one of those places" but then they're at home watching TV all day.  That's not quality.  We are social creatures, we need people whether we like it or not and quite frankly in all of my years and hundreds of residents the outcomes are astonishing

That being said, there is a biological aspect to aging that we are reminded of on the daily, thanks medicine commercials!  I'm watching families implode, just disengage because their parents who don't want to be a burden on them don't prepare, refuse talk about things, are in denial and shut the kids out.

ABOUT THE GUEST:
Michele Magner has a passion for connecting with people as we navigate the adventures of aging and family caregiving! As an experienced family caregiver, with many years in the Senior Living industry, she understands the challenges we are facing as we care for those we love.

A lifelong learner, Michele is a Certified Life Coach, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Conscious Aging facilitator. She earned her Masters Certificate in Gerontology through UNO. She is the Co-Chair for the 2022 Omaha Walk to End Alzheimer’s, a proud sponsor of OWLISH, and supporter of the Dreamweaver Foundation.  She continues to share fresh content and ideas through her podcast, Inspired Caring, in addition to classes, 1:1 and group coaching.

Email Michele at [email protected] or visit her website https://michelemagner.com/

In this episode, we learn about the power of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and how it helped a senior recover from the trauma of being abused by a home care worker hired by the senior. To learn more about the CCFSA, go to http://CTFSA.org.

The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, Inc. is a statewide network of thirteen independent, non-profit, family service agencies that deliver services to over 100,000 families annually from more than 100 sites located throughout Connecticut. Member Agencies are community-based, licensed by the State of CT and nationally accredited. Governed by volunteer boards of directors from their respective communities, Family Service Agencies have been effectively serving CT families for over 100 years.

Cindy O’Neill is the Director of Programs for the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies. She joined CCFSA after making her mark in the private sector in various leadership roles. Her strong communications skills, as well as a knack for critical thinking, have helped redefine the Director of Programs role at CCFSA.

Erica Mastroianni is a Regional Coordinator for the VOCA case management program here at CCFSA and a graduate of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT.  She has nine years’ experience working with the behavioral health population at Waterbury Hospital as well as Center for Youth and Families in Torrington, CT. 

In this episode, we learn about the power of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and how it helped a senior recover from a mugging while innocently walking down the street. To learn more about the CCFSA, go to http://CTFSA.org.

The Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, Inc. is a statewide network of thirteen independent, non-profit, family service agencies that deliver services to over 100,000 families annually from more than 100 sites located throughout Connecticut. Member Agencies are community-based, licensed by the State of CT and nationally accredited. Governed by volunteer boards of directors from their respective communities, Family Service Agencies have been effectively serving CT families for over 100 years.

Cindy O’Neill is the Director of Programs for the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies. She joined CCFSA after making her mark in the private sector in various leadership roles. Her strong communications skills, as well as a knack for critical thinking, have helped redefine the Director of Programs role at CCFSA.

Yolanda Ortiz joined the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies in August of 2019 as the VOCA Regional Coordinator. She has an extensive background working in the human services sector providing intensive case management services to young adults, homeless veterans and families from varied backgrounds and communities. During her career, she managed several programs; advocating on behalf of grandparents raising grandchildren and young adults under the care of DCF to help them become healthy, self-sufficient and independent.