The key to successful aging could be as simple as choosing the right retirement community. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are more than just a place to retire – they offer a wealth of health benefits that can help seniors age more successfully. Tony Galvin, AVP of Living Well for Vi, discusses the health benefits of living at a CCRC – a supportive environment, improved physical and cognitive well-being, and a holistic approach to aging. 

In this episode, they talk about:

• The health benefits of living at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
• Living well philosophy and approach of Vi Living to support holistic wellness for residents
• The value of involving residents in the programming and activity choices to make experiences relevant and motivating for them
• The role of healthy eating, cooking, and nutrition in supporting cognitive well-being and social interaction for aging seniors
• Programming and aging well trends that will become popular as baby boomers move into CCRCs
• The need to provide evidence-based, research-driven wellness programming

Memorable Quotes:

“Seniors that live in CRCs, in particular, those kind of like Vi that have robust health and wellness programming and initiatives, age more successfully than those that don’t.”

“The relationship aspect of what it means to live at a life plan community, at a CCRC, is probably really the cornerstone of why there’s so much benefit.”

Resources:

Tony Galvan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-galvan-7674b02b/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mellany Hanson, Gerontologist and Lifestyle Director for Vi, discusses how Vi supports the cognitive health and well-being of its residents through the Brain Vitality Studio. Mellany also talks about the concept of exergaming, how it can help aging adults with cognition, and the importance of brain health. She explains how the community at Vi uses a holistic approach to help residents maintain their cognitive and physical abilities.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Exergaming and how can it help aging adults with cognition
• Vi’s Brain Vitality Studio to focus on cognitive and motor skill training
• The six pillars of AARP’s Global Council on brain health and how they impact brain health
• The concept of dual-tasking — combining cognitive and physical tasks to improve brain health
• Types of activities in Vi’s Brain Vitality Studio
• Key findings from the case study conducted at a Vi community and how it guides the development of programming for the Brain Vitality Studio
• The partnership between Vi and the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Foundation and its benefits for the residents

Memorable Quotes:

“Our goal at Vi is to provide the information and environment that adults want so they can achieve a brain-healthy lifestyle.” 

“As people live longer. We need clear, science-based ways to support brain health. And we know that lifestyle choices, such as dual tasking, can have a profound impact on our brain health.”

Resources:

Pacific Neuroscience Institute Website: https://www.pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As people age, it becomes challenging to find purpose post-retirement. But, research shows having a sense of purpose is key to healthy aging. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) may help provide that purpose. Jonathan Schwartz, founder of Partner in Aging, discusses how CCRCs help seniors embrace new opportunities, passions, and connections in retirement to achieve purpose and fulfilment in life!

In this episode, they talk about:

• How having a sense of purpose is linked to a longer and healthier life
• How CCRCs help residents find purpose and live longer & healthier lives
• Blue Zones areas (where people live longer & healthier lives) and some traits common to those areas
• Harvard University study on what makes for a long, happy, and healthy life
• Why would someone consider a CCRC instead of aging in place at home if they can afford home care
• How can CCRCs help to make a person’s quality and quantity of life better

Memorable Quotes:

“The single biggest predictor for a long, happy, healthy life is the relationships that we have. And as we age, we start to lose our community, we lose our connections, and moving into a CCRC can absolutely enhance that, which is so important for healthy, happy living.”

“Just because I’m 77 years old does not mean I still don’t have hopes, dreams, and aspirations.”

Resources:

Partner in Aging Website: https://partnerinaging.com/ 

Jonathan Schwartz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-schwartz-b2a1771a/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest on the show is Jeneissy Azcuy, the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Education Outreach of South Florida PBS. She discusses the impact of senior influencers on PBS, the voice of seniors, what it means to PBS, and the rising interest in artificial intelligence and neuro-arts among seniors. Tune in to learn about how PBS engages seniors and enhances their lives through various programs and interactive experiences!

In this episode, they talk about:

• How PBS understands the needs and wants of seniors and incorporate them into their broadcast and live programming
• Some senior-focused programs PBS has created recently — health research series, shows about menopause, arts, etc.
• The new AI for Seniors program of PBS
• What baby boomers and the next generation of seniors mean for PBS
• How PBS engages and stimulates seniors using art, music, and the upcoming Leonardo da Vinci documentary

Memorable Quotes:

“Using art in all its forms to help people with mental health and be continued to be engaged and stimulated by the content.”

“We continuously try to adapt their programming strategy based on their input and their needs. And we really try to be a valuable community resource to enhance their quality of life.”

“We’re constantly thinking of how to immerse our viewers in our content so that it’s not passive watching or passive listening. It’s active and immersive. You actually get to do things with what you just learned. So you want to enjoy it, you learn from it, and now you apply. And that is so wonderful and so beneficial for the brain.”

Resources:

Jeneissy Azcuy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeneissyazcuy/ 

South Florida PBS Website: https://www.wpbt2.org/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Theresa Latosh as she interviews Dr. Taib Rawi, President and CEO of Aligned Geriatrics, about the role continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) play in supporting the overall health & well-being of senior living residents as they age. Tune in to know how CCRCs empower seniors to healthy aging of both body and mind in place with customized care that meets their evolving needs.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Challenges the current aging population is facing in today’s healthcare system and how CCRC addresses them
• How does living in a CCRC help sustain the health of its residents
• Benefits of living in a CCRC model — on-site medical care and care teams familiar with residents’ needs, which help sustain their health as they age
• How does living in a CCRC impact intellectual, emotional, and social well-being
• How does a CCRC bring together a sense of collective wellness for its residents

Memorable Quotes:

“Living within these communities as CCRCs provide opportunities for lifelong learning for educational workshops, oftentimes having speakers coming in from different healthcare organizations, and engaging with our residents to promote ongoing critical thinking and creativity.”

“CCRC provides a supportive environment for residents to continue forming meaningful connections and maintaining a social support network that allows them to engage with their peers.”

Resources:

Dr. Taib Rawi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtaibrawi/ 

Aligned Geriatrics Website: https://alignedgeriatrics.com/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you want to pass down your assets to your loved ones, gifting is a great way. But there are certain laws and restrictions that you need to be aware of. Today’s guest, Diana Kahn, talks about the things you need to know about gifting to heirs — the laws and limits of gifting, taxable and non-taxable gifts, what and when to gift, and more!

Diana Kahn is the president and founder of the Financial Pharmacist. She has nearly three decades of experience as a certified financial planner.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Gifting to heirs tax laws and limits in the United States
• Gifts that are not taxable and the tax limits and triggers
• The pros and cons of gifting to heirs during one’s lifetime vs. waiting until the estate is settled after death
• Vehicles available for gifting to heirs — 529 plan, paying medical/education expenses, etc
• The concept of an ethical will to pass down family stories, values, legacy, etc.
• Is planned gifting to heirs only for the wealthy
• Factors to indicate that your gifting strategy is in place

Memorable Quotes:

“If the money can stay with the family, why should it go to Uncle Sam?” 

“Planned giving to heirs is not only for the very wealthy... gifting strategies are for everybody.” 

“No clients should give gifts to the extent that it really hampers their own downtime years or their own retirement years.”

Resources:

Financial Pharmacist Website: https://www.thefinancialpharmacist.com/ 

Diana Kahn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-kahn-cfp%C2%AE-0ba50426/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you plan for retirement, researching senior living communities is an important step. But there are many factors to consider when choosing the right fit. Brad Breeding is back in this episode to discuss important factors to consider when researching senior living communities. He gave helpful guidance on evaluating costs, contract types, and intrinsic values to help you choose the best-fitting senior living option.

Brad worked as a financial advisor for 12 years before becoming a financial planner. While doing this, he saw that older people and their families needed help with senior living choices. So, he created a website called myLifeSite.net. It helps people make smart decisions about senior living.

In this episode, they talk about:

• Financial nuances of living in a type A life plan community beyond entrance fees and monthly costs
• The cost for future healthcare in a type A life plan community
• How senior living contracts and definitions vary from state to state
• The intrinsic value of living in a type A life plan community
• Should people research senior living communities on their own or have a team to help with the decision
• Choosing a senior living community is about more than just a place to live

Memorable Quotes:

“When you're looking at a really any retirement community, particularly a continuing care or life care community, it's more than just finding a place to live. It's more of how to live and about having a plan and a lifestyle and a culture.”

"One of the things we always hear is the people, the relationships, the friendships, the support network, all of that is very important."

Resources:

myLifeSite Website: https://mylifesite.net/ 

Brad Breeding on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbreeding1/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s segment, we are discussing – Living to 100 with Dr. Joseph Casciani, who has a 35-year history in aging as a psychologist and manager of mental health practices. He has developed mental health training for California’s nursing homes, been the clinical lead for a multi-state group practice for patients in nursing homes, and managed his own multi-state company.

In 2018, he extended his professional interest in aging to his new venture, the Living to 100 

Club.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ways in which engagement occurs in senior living communities
• Activities in senior living communities that help lessen loneliness and isolation for seniors
• Factors that can help people live to 100
• The idea of “longevity bonus” and seeing senior years as a time of opportunity rather than decline
• Importance of maintaining a positive mindset and a sense of purpose as people age
• Statistics on the number of people reaching the age of 100 or older
• Role of senior living communities in promoting engagement, social activities, and mental/cognitive challenges that can help people achieve milestones like living to 100

Memorable Quotes:

“I’m not looking to add years to my life, but life to my years.”

“Successful aging means to me staying positive even when things get in the way.” 

Resources:

Living to 100 Club Website: https://livingto100.club/ 

Dr. Joseph M. Casciani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasciani/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad Breeding returns to discuss planning for future care as aging becomes a reality. He discusses what long-term care is and who needs it. Brad also provides practical guidance for planning and budgeting for future long-term care expenses in retirement.

Brad worked as a financial advisor for 12 years before becoming a financial planner. While doing this, he saw that older people and their families needed help with senior living choices. So, he created a website called myLifeSite.net. It helps people make smart decisions about senior living.

In this episode, they talk about:

• What is long-term care, and who needs long-term care
• The needs and eligibilities of long-term care
• Statistics on people who will need long-term care planning
• Clarification on whether long-term care is given at home or in facilities
• Typical duration of a person's stay in long-term care
• The cost of long-term care and how it varies across different types of care and locations
• The costs of long-term care in a Life Plan community

Memorable Quotes:

"We're all aging at this point. So planning for future care is a really important topic for us." 

"The reality is that people of any age can need long term care whether it's a result of a disability or an accident." 

Resources:

myLifeSite Website: https://mylifesite.net/ 

Brad Breeding on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbreeding1/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Pam is joined by Brad Breeding, a Senior Living financial expert, author, and speaker renowned for his insights into Senior Living and financial planning. The two discuss the factors that set the best life plan communities apart.

Brad started his career as a financial advisor and dedicated twelve years to this field before becoming a financial planner. During this period, he recognized that older people and their families required assistance in making important senior living decisions. To address this need, he established myLifeSite.net, a website that offers valuable tools and information to empower families to make informed choices about senior living arrangements.

In this episode, they talk about:

• The importance of a positive resident-management relationship
• Things prospective residents should look for in lifestyle opportunities when it comes to programs and activities at a life plan community
• The importance of financial stability and transparency in a retirement community
• Evaluating the quality of on-site healthcare facilities
• Creating a checklist for comparison between communities
• Determining the monthly affordability of a retirement community
• Considering the long-term affordability of a community by evaluating its impact on savings and investment 
• The importance of understanding CCRC contract models and cost of care when planning for retirement

Memorable Quotes:

• "One of the big appeals of a CCRC is knowing you have that peace of mind and knowing that care is there for you when you need it."
• "When you're thinking about care that you may need in the future, just know that in different communities, the cost and what you're going to pay for that care can be different."

Resources:

myLifeSite Website: https://mylifesite.net/ 

Brad Breeding on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbreeding1/ 

Find out more about Vi Living at our Website: https://www.viliving.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.