Transition Aging Parents

Join me and my mother as she shares an insider's view of independent living in a CCRC, Continuing Care Retirement Community. Two years ago, Mom was living alone in her home in western Maryland. A health crisis in March 2008 got her thinking about other living options. She chose a CCRC just 5 miles from her home, within her community of 30 years. She'll share why she chose Fairhaven, surprises and challenges along the way, and how she adjusted. Now, 18 months later, she'll talk about how she feels about her decision and choice. Call-in questions are most welcome.

Join me as I interview Catherine Burch. Cathy is recently retired, living with her husband in South Bend, Indiana. She has already given much thought to her later years, ensuring that her personal wishes are respected. Be sure to listen in as Cathy shares her guiding philosophy as well as the concrete steps (such as de-cluttering, update of will, end of life wishes, ...) she has taken for the sake of her husband and herself, as well as her 2 grown daughters. One daughter lives locally and the other lives in Switzerland with two grandchildren. Cathy will share her insight with a good dose of humor and an abundance of faith. Join us live, and call in with your questions.

Join Julie Hall (The Estate Lady) and me as we address some of the important questions that Boomers have, such as, *Where to begin, how to have conversation with parents, about their wishes? *What if there is so much clutter and chaos that it's hard to know where to start? *What if two or more siblings want the same heirloom? *How to deal with difficult siblings? How minimize fighting during estate settlement *How to find a competent, ethical appraiser? and more... A nationally known expert to estate attorneys, financial planners, real estate and insurance professionals, geriatric and assisted living managers, Hall is making her mark as a consultant and an advisor on the disposition of personal property and also in predicting personal behavior when valuable property is at stake. She writes and speaks on behalf of seniors, educating them on why it is important for them to deal with their personal property before they become infirmed or die. Hall also educates their Boomer children guiding them through the entire process on behalf of their parents. Hall is respected within the antiques and collectibles fields at what has value versus what does not in an estate, alleviating confusion and pressure among those left behind to deal with the personal property distribution. Since publishing her book, The Boomer Burden, Julie has been resourced across North America as THE leading expert in estate dissolution, the personal property side of estate planning, and more.

Paul Moseley joins me as he shares his personal story, challenges and rewards as he cared for two aging and ill parents at the same time. His parents spent the last 4 years of their lives in separate facilities. For many of us, caring for one aging parent seems overwhelming. But, consider adult children who have two needy parents, often with very different illnesses and needs. You will learn from Paul and walk away from hearing his story with a smile on your face. Paul and his parents both maintained a positive attitude in spite of their health challenges. Paul's website is: http://teamtelecomllc.com ****Follow-up info: Amber Select/Amber Select * Fall Detection equipment. Their web site is www.visonic.com. The Amber Alert offers smoke detection, water detection, motion detection and fall detection capabilities and is very simple to use. It can be programmed over the Internet. I have also attached VA Form 21-526 that covers the Assistance and Pension program for all veterans 65 and older. The minimum award is $90.00. The maximum can be as high as $2700.00 per month. All veterans who served in a war zone are entitled to claim for these benefits. It can be found at http://www4.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=21-526 . I suggest that they contact their local Veterans Claims office located in their town or state. These individuals will assist in completing the forms, submitting them to the proper parties and following up until the request is approved. They will save you a great deal of time. The payment is effective as of the first day of the month after you mail the claim. It took my father 7 months to reach approval. Once approved payments were retroactive. The money gave him a sense of pride and self worth and he deserves every penny of it.

Join me as Tyfanny Mosso (Community Relations Coordinator for Senior Helpers, South bend, IN) and I explore the topic of home care in your parents' home. We'll discuss why you'd want to consider this option. Why you would select an agency over hiring an individual yourself. We'll cover the costs, services offered; and walk through the entire process from initial application process to delivery of service and communication with families. For more information about Senior Helpers, see their website at http://www.seniorhelpers.com/location/1811

David Solie, author of "How to Say It to Seniors: Closing the Communication Gap with Our Elders" will join me, as he shares strategies and tips on communicating more effectively with your aging parents. Experience has taught him that many listeners will have an "ah ha" moment regarding an older parent that will forever change the course of their relationship with this person. If you want to experience your "ah ha", as I did while reading his book, join us. ********************** His website is www.dsolie.com. There you can find his nationally acclaimed blog, Aging Parents Insight. Don't miss his "When The Bottom Falls Out Mind Map" tool. ********************** At his site, you can also order his book, "How to Say It To Seniors, Unlocking the Communication Code with Our Elders", and his best selling audio CD, "The Secret Mission of Aging Parents: Control and Legacy". This CD has been widely distributed to senior services and caregiver organizations.

Nadine Brechner, author of “Memory Triggers”, joins me to share the story of how "Memory Triggers" and her company came to be. It's a classic "necessity is the mother of invention" story and is found in the beginning of each book. Nadine had struggled to find books that appealed to her mother (with Alzheimer's). She will share how her new, specially designed books facilitate meaningful conversation and interaction with our aging parents. ********************************* Her books, the 3 Decades pack with the free Giant Photo Puzzles book, can be purchased at memory-triggers.com

Debra Joy Debra Joy, CEO of Bcelebrated.com, joins me to discuss her unique new service that enables members to document an aging parent's life while they are living. Help them write their story, upload pictures, music and videos that capture their life in a way that is meaningful to them. At the time of their passing, this site will become their online memorial site, and will notify all contacts of their passing, taking the burden off the family. What a wonderful way to share in your parent's life memories and honor them.

Amy Abrams (certified Geriatric Care Manager founding partner of Elder Care Guides, a care management company) joins me to discuss how a geriatric care manager can help you and your aging parent. Why you'd want to consider a care manager, what services are offered, what training/certification to look for, and the steps to finding, selecting, hiring and retaining one. ****Website resources: **Elder Care Guides website: www.eldercareguides.com **Elder Care Guides blog: http://eldercareguides.blogspot.com **National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers: www.caremanager.org

Join me as I interview, Dr. William Rodman Shankle, a medical director of the Shankle Clinic, a specialty clinic for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. He is author of "Preventing Alzheimer's" (Ways to Help Prevent, Delay, Detect, and Halt Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Memory Loss). Dr. Shankle will describe his "Prevention through Delay", the importance of knowing and reducing your risk factors, an annual memory screening and obtaining an accurate, early diagnosis and treatment. (Dr. Shankle specializes in prevention, early detection, and management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. At the Shankle Clinic, Dr. Shankle and his staff provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of memory loss due to Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.) Websites: www.PreventAD.com, braintoday.blogspot.com, www.ShankleClinic.com

My guest will be Dale Susan Edmonds, founder of Talk-Early-Talk-Often.com. She will be sharing her knowledge and strategies for helping families communicate with their aging parents. You will want to hear Dale if you’re wondering how to start talking about life changes with your parent OR if you have a specific issue. **************** Rev. Dale Susan Edmonds, is the creator of Talk-Early-Talk-Often.com, an information and educational network for people with aging parents. Talk Early, Talk Often is an online guide on who to talk to, what to talk about, and how to keep the conversation going as your parents age. When is the right time to start talking? Now. Why? To save money, trauma and prevent untold heartaches. Dale has been an Ordained Minister for 25 years and is a Family Communication Coach, speaker, and workshop leader. Certified as an Advance Care Planning Facilitator and Instructor, she works with families, congregations, and professional associations to meet the challenges of aging, with confidence. *********************** Other products & services: ***Regular teleclasses will be published in the “Talk with Aging Parents” audio ezine. ***Group Coaching in Family Communication, also listed in the “Talk with Aging Parents” ezine. ***Crisis Contacts, the first release in the “Talk About …” interactive ebook series.

Join me and Denise Brown, founder of Caregiving.com, as we explore the power of support groups in the caregiving of your parents. How to find the right support group for you. The different types of groups, the process, benefits, challenges...and much more. ** Denise M. Brown, founder of Caregiving.com, is an eldercare coach, working with family caregivers to find the meanings in their journeys. ** She is the author of two books, 'Take Comfort, Reflections of Hope for Caregivers' and 'The Caregiving Years, Six Stages to a Meaningful Journey'. ** Her website is caregiving.com.

Join me and Jason Young, geriatric clinician, as we explore many of the questions you may have about dementia and Alzheimer's. What are the warning signs? How is a diagnosis made? What are the common treatments? How can you best help and communicate with your parent? How about you...what support options exist for you?