In this powerful episode of The Golden Hour, host Liz Keller sits down with Angela Van Pelt, Iowa’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and Melanie Kempf, Program Manager for Quality and Process Improvement. Together, they shed light on the critical — and often misunderstood — role of the Ombudsman’s Office in protecting seniors in long-term care facilities.

From resident rights and care complaints to involuntary discharges and systemic reform, Angela and Melanie share what really happens behind the scenes in Iowa’s nursing homes and assisted living communities. They also discuss the challenges of staffing, burnout, and loneliness in senior care — and how families can advocate for their loved ones more effectively.

Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or senior industry professional, this episode will change the way you see long-term care advocacy.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• What the Iowa Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office actually does
• The difference between regulatory agencies and resident advocacy
• The top three complaints in long-term care — and how they’re being addressed
• Why staffing, culture, and compassion make or break a community
• How families can report issues and protect their loved ones’ rights
• Future innovations in senior living, from small home models to intergenerational care

💛 This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes our seniors deserve better care — and real voices fighting for them.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, host Liz Keller sits down with Dr. Malinda Shultice to have a brutally honest conversation about the realities of senior living — from the financial pressures and ethical gray areas to the burnout and moral decisions administrators face every day.

Malinda shares her journey from “accidentally” joining senior living administration to becoming a passionate advocate for leadership reform and ethical care. Together, she and Liz pull back the curtain on the uncomfortable truths behind occupancy quotas, leadership training gaps, and the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.

You’ll walk away with a renewed understanding of what compassionate leadership really looks like — and why healing the senior living industry begins with transparency, courage, and doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.

Topics Include:

• Malinda’s path from administrator-in-training to leadership coach
• The ethical crisis in senior living and how to fix it
• The dangerous link between census pressures and resident care
• How to empower leaders to say “no” when it’s not the right fit
• Why transparency always wins in the long run
• The “hamster wheel of chaos” — and how to get off it

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Tasha Tucker, senior care specialist and Medicaid expert at Golden Concierge. Tasha shares her journey from working in hospitals and Medicaid programs to serving as a Community Relations Director in senior living communities—and now blending both worlds to provide concierge-level support for seniors and their families.

Together, Liz and Tasha talk about:

• The difference between free government resources and concierge-level care
• Common misconceptions about Medicaid, spend-down rules, and the five-year lookback
• Why financial planning is critical before moving into assisted living or memory care
• Real stories of seniors who found hope, safety, and community through Golden Concierge
• How Tasha’s personal approach—asking the right questions and understanding life stories—ensures seniors are placed in communities where they can thrive

Whether you’re a family member overwhelmed by options or a professional curious about the Medicaid maze, this episode offers practical advice and heartfelt stories about aging with dignity.

What does it really take to keep seniors safe, comfortable, and independent in their own homes?

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Dave Williamson, Housing Services Manager for Polk County, to uncover the programs that make aging in place possible. From $5,000 grants for home modifications to statewide weatherization assistance and emergency repair funding, Dave shares practical solutions available to families right now.

Together, they explore:

• How the Aging-in-Place Program helps seniors 62+ with essential modifications like grab bars, ramps, and tub cutouts.
• Why Weatherization Programs go beyond plastic on windows—think energy audits, blower door testing, and appliance safety checks.
• How the Emergency Home Repair Program provides a safety net for urgent needs like furnaces, water heaters, or collapsing sewer lines.
• Partnerships with organizations like EveryStep’s Healthy Homes Program, making a difference for children with asthma.
• What families in other counties can do to find out if similar programs exist in their communities.

This episode is a must-listen for caregivers, seniors, and anyone working to ensure dignity and safety for older adults at home.

👉 Resources mentioned:

• Polk County Public Works Housing Programs
• 211 (United Way) for local referrals
• Community Action Agencies across Iowa

🎧 Listen now to discover how these programs are changing lives one home at a time.

When you or a loved one faces a serious illness, navigating the healthcare system can feel overwhelming. That’s where leaders like Aimee Spores, Director of Hospice and Palliative Care at WesleyLife, come in.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Aimee breaks down the differences between palliative and hospice care, explains how WesleyLife’s bedside model is changing the landscape in Iowa, and shares moving stories of bucket-list wishes made possible through community generosity. We also explore the importance of advance care planning, the role of social workers, and how families can find peace and support through every stage of serious illness.

Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare professional, or someone curious about end-of-life care, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz sits down with Jeff Raines, owner of Senior Helpers Des Moines. For more than a decade, Jeff and his team have walked alongside Iowa families, providing personalized in-home care that helps seniors live safely and independently.

We talk about:

• Jeff’s journey into senior care and why he chose this path
• The unique assessments and tools Senior Helpers uses to keep clients safe
• The realities of caregiving—both for families and professional staff
• How community, compassion, and planning make all the difference in aging well

Whether you’re a caregiver, a family member, or simply curious about the future of senior care, this episode is packed with insight and practical wisdom.

What does it take to create a retirement that’s both secure and stress-free? In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with Matthew Richman (RICP®, CFF®, CAS®, NSSA®), founder of Iron Point Retirement Solutions, to explore the strategies every family needs when planning for retirement.

Matthew shares how his grandparents’ financial struggles during the 2008 recession inspired his mission to help others avoid similar mistakes. Together, Liz and Matthew cover:

• Why guaranteed income beats assets in retirement
• How to avoid the “tax torpedo” that surprises so many retirees
• The importance of Social Security optimization and claiming strategies
• Practical approaches to long-term care planning
• How legacy planning can multiply what you leave for your loved ones

Whether you’re preparing for your own retirement or helping a parent make the transition into senior living, this conversation will give you the tools and insights to protect your financial future.

In this illuminating episode, Liz Keller welcomes Molly Wuebker, occupational therapist, accessibility advocate, and founder of Uncurbed, to explore how universal and inclusive design can break barriers and build environments where everyone belongs.

Key themes include:

• The evolution of Molly’s journey—from clinical OT to accessibility consultant and ADA liaison.
• How the Person–Environment–Occupation–Performance (PEOP) model drives meaningful design decisions.
• Why universal design isn’t just about compliance—it’s a pathway to equity, safety, and enjoyment for all.
• Real-world insights from Molly’s projects, including her work on accessibility in recreational, residential, and digital spaces.
• A deeper dive into co-design, human factors, and emerging assistive technology.
• The educator’s perspective: accessibility principles she’s taught at Drake University and beyond.

Why you’ll want to listen:

• Gain practical framing tools for designers, caregivers, and educators.
• Learn how to exceed minimal standards in building, programs, and digital presence.
• Discover how inclusive design benefits communities at every stage of life—especially seniors aging in place.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, we sit down with Luann Sechrist, founder of Senior Planning Solutions, to unpack the truth about Medicaid planning.

Luann explains:

• Why putting a child’s name on assets can be risky
• Whether children can be held responsible for nursing home costs
• How veterans and their families can access little-known benefits
• The difference between Medicaid planning and pre-planning
• What families need before a first consultation
• How funeral planning can be used in spend down strategies

Luann also shares her philosophy of walking with families through this emotional process, helping them avoid costly mistakes, reduce family conflict, and protect what matters most.

✨ If you’re caring for aging parents or planning ahead for your own future, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Golden Hour, Liz Keller sits down with attorney Matthew Bollman of Pearson Bollman Law to talk about the legal and financial decisions that every family should prepare for as loved ones age. From creating a will or trust to navigating Medicaid and VA pension benefits, Matthew shares practical guidance and real-life stories from his work in estate planning and elder law.

We discuss:

• Why starting the conversation early is critical
• The difference between wills, trusts, and probate
• How to protect assets while planning for long-term care
• Navigating Medicaid rules and VA pension benefits
• Common mistakes families make—and how to avoid them

Whether you’re a senior, an adult child, or a caregiver, this conversation will help you feel informed and empowered to make the right decisions for the future.