A Drop in the Bucket

Carrie Naivns of Karried Away with Carrie joins us to talk about her recent group excursion to Costa Rica. Carrie hosts group trips locally and all over the world. Her group, Karried Away with Carrie, is comprised of older adults who want to go on trips locally and abroad and enjoy their lives to the fullest.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucket list and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this episode, Lisa interviews Kacie Gikonyo from End of Life Consulting Co., she is an RN who is also a death doula. Lisa and Kacie talk about the importance of being there of the person going through their end of life journey. They also discuss why Kacie became a Death Doula and how much she loves what she does and how the families come to appreciate her presence during the entire process. Timestamps 0:00:00 - Intro - Kacie Death Doula0:05:39 - Kacie is present for entire family during end of life0:07:25 - Difference between your service and hospice0:10:29 - What are most Death Doula's backgrounds0:12:23 - Death with dignity options0:14:45 - Examples of personal impact of working with clients0:18:56 - How does a Death Doula get compensated 0:20:20 - Needs of client and family 24:02 - Client expectations 27:03 - Death Doula numbers

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. Mike Bearce, a retired executive director of a falls practice, was the guest on this episode of A Drop in the Bucket. Even after retirement, Mike Bearce continues to do educational seminars forsenior groups throughout the Chicagoland area, and we're proud to have Mike today. Throughout the conversation, we talk about fall prevention, why the risk rises with age, and practical things to do to protect yourself and loved ones as the risk fact grows. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:02 - An introduction to Mike Bearce - Making sense of falling and balance 00:08:17 - Impacts and the fallouts of falling 00:11:58 - How medication can make us unsteady 00:18:20 - Making your home safer as you age and changing your habits 00:24:50 - Getting active again, post COVID 00:31:11 - What’s on your bucket list?

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this podcast, Lisa talks with Mark Smolenski, from the company One Trust, who has worked for 25 years in finance and real estate. He has also volunteered his time with several not-for-profit organizations and is currently the president of a local Rotary International club. Mark can be reached at https://onetrusthomeloans.com/contact/msmolenski During the conversation, Mark explains how reverse mortgages have had a bad name in the past and how he works to educate seniors on the importance of balancing their financial and personal needs. He also shares his experience helping clients navigate important financial decisions and why reverse mortgages can be a beneficial option for seniors. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Exploring the Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage 00:07:53 - Reverse Mortgage Qualifications for Married Couples 00:12:16 - Exploring the Benefits of Reverse Mortgages for Homeowners 00:15:50 - Home Equity Conversion Mortgages as Investment Tools 00:19:27 - Explaining the Benefits and Costs of a Reverse Mortgage Loan 00:27:25 - Utilizing a Reverse Mortgage for Home Purchases 00:28:59 - The Benefits of Owning a Second Home 00:36:43 - A Practical Scenario 00:40:22 - How to Start the Process

Lisa and Gene discuss estate sales, is it worth it, what sells, when to call someone in and FAQ's. Gene Evans can be found on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/gene-evans-9b7408

In this episode, Lisa welcomes Mary Jo Roberts to A Drop in the Bucket. Mary Jo Roberts is a travel expert with over 30 years of experience in the industry. She is the co-owner of Polaris Travel, a travel agency that specializes in guided tours and destinations around the world. Mary Jo is passionate about helping people create positive and joyful travel experiences.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. Bob Schmitt, owner of Junk Luggers, was the guest on this episode of A Drop in the Bucket. They discussed the staggering number of metric tons of waste created per day in the United States and the importance of keeping waste out of landfills. Bob shared how his background led him to invest in the Junk Luggers franchise and his commitment to the company's mission and goals. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro 00:03:00 - Reduce waste to save the planet. 00:07:08 - Declutter to reduce stress. 00:14:59 - Donate, recycle, dispose efficiently. 00:25:37 - Partner with experts. 00:27:42 - Get outside help for hoarding. 00:37:00 - Donate items to help others. 00:39:30 - Connect people in need.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this episode, Lisa interviews Mary Jensen, a registered dental hygienist with over 40 years of experience. Mary discusses the importance of oral hygiene, especially for seniors, and shares some tips on how to maintain good oral health. Mary also talks about her passion for mission trips, where she has provided dental care on four continents and eight countries. Mary also talks about her work with Alliance for Smiles, an organization that provides cleft lip and cleft palate surgery to underserved populations. Timestamps 0:00:00 - Intro - Oral Hygiene with Mary Jensen 0:02:29 - The Impact of Oral Health on Overall Body Health 0:05:59 - The Importance of Oral Hygiene in Senior Communities 0:17:45 - The Dangers of Untreated Gum Disease 0:25:54 - The Impact of Medications on Oral Health 0:30:31 - Dental Health: How to Prevent Cavities 0:32:18 - The Importance of Oral Hygiene for the Elderly 0:34:52 - The Importance of Oral Health in Senior Living Communities

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this podcast, Lisa and Tim explore the subject of hospitalization and what to do when a loved one needs to go into the hospital for whatever reason. It begins by discussing the common scenarios and situations of having to go to the hospital and what comes next after that. The conversation emphasizes that it is important to be proactive in order to prevent shock and surprise. They also talk about creating a roadmap to navigate the inevitable since hospitalization is something that most people will have to deal with at some point. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Navigating Hospital Discharge: A Roadmap for Proactive Care 00:08:30 - Topic: Understanding Medicare and Medicaid: A Discussion 00:10:27 - Discharge Planning for Hospitalized Patients 00:12:02 - Choosing a Nursing Home Facility 00:16:56 - Exploring Options for Short-Term Rehabilitation 00:28:00 - Differences Between Medical Home Health and Home Care Services 00:35:33 - Supporting a Loved One with Memory Issues: A Conversation with Tim and Lisa 00:40:25 - Navigating Senior Care Options

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this episode, Lisa Stover interviews Alice Wood, an attorney and author of three books on financial literacy. Alice shares her expertise on creating a simple estate plan that everyone should have. The must-haves for an estate plan include a will, power of attorney, health care directive, and beneficiary designations. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00  Alice Wood: The Perfect Estate Plan 00:03:37  The Importance of Estate Planning Documents 00:07:00  The Importance of a Power of Attorney for Healthcare 00:10:30  The Importance of a Will or Living Trust 00:13:30  The Five Must-Have Documents for Estate Planning 00:19:27  The Benefits of Creating a Trust 00:24:30  Financial Literacy for Those Who Have Experienced a Brain Injury 00:27:30  Wealth Watchers: A Conversation with Alice Wood 00:29:00  The Importance of Disability Insurance 00:35:57  Keeping track of original documents.

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket.  Lisa and Tim discuss their experience with revisiting their childhood homes and high school neighborhoods. Revisiting your childhood homes can be a bittersweet experience. Social media has made it easier to connect with old classmates, especially around milestone years such as high school reunions, and websites dedicated to reconnecting people have made it easier to find old friends.  Timestamps 00:00:00 - A Walk Down Memory Lane 00:03:30 - The Importance of Staying in Touch with Childhood Friends 00:06:50 - High School Reunions: A Time to Reflect 00:15:56 - High School Reunions: A Time to Remember or Forget? 00:26:36 - The Benefits of Reaching Out to Old Friends 00:28:00 - The Benefits of Social Media for Adults 00:30:00 - Bucket List Ideas for Seniors

Drop in the Bucket podcast is all about aging on your terms. We cover all of the things on your bucketlist and the things that have dropped into your bucket. In this conversation, Lisa talks to Dr. Kim Baker of KB Psychology, a business that provides supportive psychotherapy for older adults in long-term care, family therapy for the families of loved ones in long-term care, and training for staff on dementia and cognitive impairment. Kim Baker discusses some of the common fears that her clients have about growing old. She also discusses the risks of developing dementia and how lifestyle changes can help reduce that risk. TIMESTAMPS 00:00:00  Dr. Kim Baker Discusses Her Business KB Psychology 00:03:09  The Fear of Growing Old 00:09:18  Cognitive Decline: What's Normal and What's Not 00:16:30  The Benefits of Exercise on the Brain 00:20:30  The Relationship Between Exercise, Nutrition, and Cognitive Function 00:27:53  The Benefits of Engaging in Social Interaction for Brain Health 00:34:30  The Impact of Dementia on Social Relationships 00:36:00  Meditation and Relaxation Techniques for Reducing Stress and Anxiety 00:44:00  The Dangers of Overusing Sleep Aids 00:46:30  The Benefits of Meditation for Sleep

A Drop in the Bucket with Tim Wilsey and Lisa Stover is a new podcast for those navigating the waters of aging. If you are a senior, know a senior or love a senior, this is the podcast for you! We will cover a variety of topics to help you understand the changes that life is bringing your way. Our guests will be experts in their fields and share their knowledge, tips and advice on a myriad of topics. Whether it's on your bucket list or has been dropped into your bucket, we hope to help you live life on your terms by equipping you with information and resources to do just that. Cheers! You can find us on Spotify, Apple Podcast and Amazon and FaceBook A Drop in the Bucket with Tim Wilsey and Lisa Stover

A Drop in the Bucket is a podcast that covers all things aging. Tim Wilsey and Lisa Stover will be bringing this informative and resourceful podcast to you very soon. We will interview experts in the fields of health, finance, home matters, travel, you name it. This podcast is all about your bucket, what's in it and what to do with it. We hope to give you ideas, resources, helpful tips and more as you age or help someone you love with the aging process.