In this special holiday episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight, host Mary Cordova is joined by Matt Santelli, Community Outreach & Education Specialist at Pierce County Human Services, and Jenny Austin-Krzemien, Senior Concierge Advisor. Together, they discuss the alarming rise of scams targeting seniors during the holidays—a time meant for joy and generosity.

Matt explains how scammers prey on seniors’ trust and loneliness, using tactics like fake charities, imposter scams, and fraudulent job offers. Jenny shares surprising stories of seniors falling victim to schemes, from heartbreaking romance scams to predatory sweepstakes frauds.

This episode goes beyond raising awareness—it's packed with practical tips to protect seniors and empower families. Discover how to spot red flags, recognize common scam patterns, and take proactive steps to safeguard your loved ones.

🎄 Don’t let scammers steal the holiday spirit! Tune in now to learn how to protect yourself and the seniors in your life.

In this episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight, host Mary Cordova dives into the groundbreaking technology of SeniorLife.AI with special guests. Meet the Founder and Co-CEO of SeniorLife.AI Ash Roy and co-founder Shoko Hoshi, and learn how their game-changing technology reduced senior fall incidents by 58% in a 2-year case study in Japan.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors, but SeniorLife.AI is changing the game with its innovative Vision AI technology. Learn how this FDA-approved, HIPAA-compliant platform is transforming senior care by providing fast, accurate fall risk assessments in just 10-20 seconds—no sensors or wearables required.

Mary, Ash, and Shoko discuss the technology’s impact in Japan and its U.S. launch with Concierge Care Advisors. They also explore the upcoming release of a much-anticipated cognitive assessment feature in Q1 2025 that detects Alzheimer’s up to five years before clinical diagnosis.

Discover how SeniorLife.AI empowers seniors, healthcare professionals, and families with actionable insights to prevent falls, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.

Tune in to learn how SeniorLife.AI is revolutionizing fall prevention and senior care!

Episode #8: The Growing Crisis of Memory Loss: What Seniors and Families Need to Know

In this episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight, host Mary Cordova is joined by Dr. Brian Ferris and Dr. Alex De Moraes to unpack the growing crisis of memory loss and its impact on seniors and their families. Together, they explore the different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s-related cognitive decline, and discuss the subtle early signs families often miss.

The doctors share practical advice on prevention, the role of lifestyle and health management, and why early intervention is critical. Using vivid analogies, they make complex medical concepts accessible, offering hope and guidance to families navigating this challenging journey.

Tune in for expert insights and actionable tips to better understand and address memory loss. Don’t wait—this is an episode every family should hear.

Tune in to #TheSeniorSpotlight podcast as host Mary Cordova sits down with Dr. Brian Ferris and Dr. Alex De Moraes to explore the complexities of memory loss in seniors. In this episode, the doctors discuss how cognitive decline, including conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's, often intersects with health issues such as cardiovascular disease and strokes, affecting seniors' overall well-being. They highlight the importance of distinguishing between behaviors triggered by environmental changes—like transitioning to assisted living—and those stemming from medical conditions.

The conversation also underscores the value of early intervention strategies, including socialization, exercise, and managing anxiety, to help delay cognitive decline. Dr. Ferris and Dr. De Moraes share insights on how family involvement and expectation management are crucial in supporting seniors, with a focus on creating tailored care environments that enhance quality of life. They discuss how families can identify early warning signs, such as changes in gait or memory lapses. This episode provides practical guidance and highlights the role of Concierge Care Advisors in helping seniors and their families navigate these unique challenges.

In this insightful episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight Podcast, host Mary Cordova is joined by Dr. Alex De Moraes and Dr. Brian Ferris to explore the critical importance of involving seniors in their care decisions. Together, they tackle the challenges of keeping seniors informed and engaged in medical choices, from understanding POLST directives to navigating hospice care.

Dr. De Moraes shares the emotional complexities of initiating conversations around end-of-life care and the need to introduce hospice support earlier to improve quality of life—highlighting that hospice isn’t always the end, but a turning point for many. Dr. Ferris reflects on the importance of proactive planning and shares how advanced directives can prevent stressful, last-minute decisions during medical emergencies.

Episode 6 emphasizes that effective senior care is a collaborative process, requiring coordinated efforts among families, healthcare professionals, and advocates. Mary underscores Concierge Care Advisors’ role as a vital partner in this process, providing free advocacy to seniors and families. The doctors also share stories about how a well-timed conversation or a simple act like sitting down with a patient can have a powerful impact.

This episode offers practical advice and heartwarming stories, showing that including seniors in care decisions- as well as utilizing the services of a senior living advisor- can foster dignity, reduce recidivism rates, and ultimately lead to better health outcomes. Tune in to learn how small changes can transform lives and relationships.

In this powerful episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight, we uncover the often-hidden issue of elder abuse and provide essential guidance on how to recognize and prevent it. Host Mary Cordova, Dr. Brian Ferris, and Dr. Alex De Moraes share their frontline experiences and expert insights on the many forms of elder abuse, including physical, emotional, and financial exploitation.

Learn about the alarming prevalence of financial abuse, often committed by individuals falsely claiming power of attorney. The doctors also dive into the complexities of elder care, particularly for seniors with conditions like dementia, who may have difficulty communicating their needs or experiences.

As mandated reporters, both doctors emphasize their responsibility to protect elderly patients from harm. They share practical tips on how families can stay involved, spot the signs of neglect or abuse, and advocate for their loved ones, whether they’re in home care or assisted living facilities.

Episode 5 stresses the importance of early intervention, the critical role of family communication, and the need for collaboration between loved ones and healthcare professionals. Reporting suspected abuse is crucial to protecting seniors and ensuring their well-being.

Don’t miss this insightful and actionable discussion on how you can help safeguard the seniors in your life from harm.

Join us for an enlightening episode of #TheSeniorSpotlight as we explore the secrets of living a longer, healthier life. Mary Cordova, Dr. Brian Ferris, and Dr. Alex De Moraes offer invaluable insights to help you navigate the complexities of senior healthcare and make informed decisions for a healthier future.

Dr. Alex De Moraes highlights the critical role of cardiovascular health in overall well-being and longevity, while Dr. Brian Ferris connects the dots between conditions like stroke, heart disease, and aneurysms. Their discussion dives deep into the often hidden progression of cognitive decline and heart disease, using the analogy of a house’s plumbing to illustrate how these issues can develop unnoticed until a significant event occurs.

Episode 4 underscores the importance of early detection, family history, and lifestyle choices—such as physical exercise, nutritious eating, and social engagement—in mitigating health risks. The trio also explores the crucial role of hospice and palliative care in managing end-stage diseases, and the significance of genetic awareness and proactive health management for more engaged and proactive aging.

Have you ever felt lost and overwhelmed by the healthcare system while trying to care for a loved one? You’re certainly not alone.

In this episode, discover effective strategies for post-hospitalization care and learn about the crucial role of case managers from seasoned experts. Join host Mary Cordova, Dr. Brian Ferris, and Dr. Alex De Moraes for a heartfelt discussion on the emotional and logistical challenges families face while navigating post-discharge care, especially for seniors unfamiliar with the complexities of the healthcare system.

Episode 3 of #TheSeniorSpotlight highlights the importance of advocates and support networks during crises and transitions. It also delves into the difficulties of obtaining durable medical equipment (DME) in a fragmented healthcare system and underscores the need for advocacy and education to help families better navigate these challenges. Whether you’re a senior, a family member, or a caregiver, this episode offers valuable insights to make your healthcare journey a bit easier. Be sure to tune in!

In Episode 2 of #TheSeniorSpotlight, we explore the complexities of senior healthcare with insights from Dr. Brian Ferris and Dr. Alex De Moraes. We address the geographical challenges faced by seniors transitioning to care facilities farther from their medical clinic, as well as those of seniors living in remote areas needing to travel to larger medical centers for care.

Our discussion emphasizes the importance of seamless care transitions and effective communication among healthcare providers. We highlight the need for strong advocacy to prevent readmissions and ensure safe discharges. Often, families feel disempowered when their senior is discharged from emergency care and they are unequipped to care for them. Expert assistance can significantly increase the chances of a loved one returning home rather than moving to a nursing facility.

The episode also spotlights the pivotal role of organizations like Concierge Care Advisors in bridging care gaps. CCA offers comprehensive support and advocacy extending beyond immediate medical needs, promoting continuous and holistic care for seniors. This includes addressing senior’s financial, social, medical, geographical, and spiritual needs. Concierge Care Advisors not only advocates for patients in the hospital, but also provides free caregiver resources and senior referral and transitional services to families at no cost. The episode concludes with details about how to contact Concierge Care Advisors for assistance.

In the debut episode of #The Senior Spotlight Podcast, host Mary Cordova welcomes Dr. Alex De Moraes and Dr. Brian Ferris for an essential discussion on how to ensure your loved one's medical and financial wishes are honored. This episode explores the crucial legal documents every senior needs, emphasizing the importance of early conversations and proactive planning to ensure that healthcare preferences are honored.

Dr. De Moraes and Dr. Ferris discuss the nuances between POLST forms and advanced directives, clarifying their distinct roles in both emergency and long-term care scenarios. Through real-life stories, they highlight the severe consequences of not having these documents in place and provide practical advice on how to make them easily accessible to healthcare providers and family members.

The conversation also underscores the significance of comprehensive medical and financial planning. Establishing medical and financial powers of attorney is vital to avoid family conflicts and ensure that a senior's true wishes are respected. Dr. De Moraes and Dr. Ferris offer expert guidance on setting up these critical documents and discuss how proper planning can make a significant difference in seniors' lives.

Tune in for an engaging and informative discussion.