While end-of-life discussions may be challenging, they are integral to honoring an individual's wishes and preserving their dignity. Listen to this podcast to unravel the often overlooked and misunderstood aspects of end-of-life, with a special focus on hospice care. Gain insights into crucial conversations and thoughtful planning essential for this stage of life. This episode aims to demystify the support and resources available for end-of-life, shedding light on the true value of hospice ca...
November is National Family Caregiver Month, so it’s a great time to join our discussion about the evolving landscape of caregiving. We'll explore the latest trends, innovations and challenges faced by family caregivers today, providing valuable insights into the changing dynamics and support systems in caregiving. Whether you're a caregiver seeking information or a professional in the field, this podcast offers a comprehensive overview of the current state of caregiving and what lies ahead. ...
Individuals are reimagining the concept of retirement, especially as people are living longer. Instead of traditional retirement activities, many go on to explore encore careers—distinctive career paths embarked upon in the second half of life. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the benefits of working after retirement and the opportunities that exist. Also discover how to navigate the exciting intersection of work and purpose and gain practical strategies to embrace the opportunities...
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, and we hear a lot about it. However, there are several types of dementia less likely to get the spotlight, but that still impact hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families. Join this webinar for an exploration of the lesser-known dementias. In this episode, we'll navigate the complexities of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Vascular Dementia, and Mixed Dementia. Listen to this podcast to gain a deepe...
Among the older adult population, there is a complex landscape of high-risk factors that can contribute to hospital readmissions. Listen to this podcast to explore strategies for securing support systems, particularly for individuals navigating five types of risk factors: memory issues, frequent falls, living alone, managing multiple chronic conditions, and multiple medications. Learn how to identify, address, and mitigate these high-risk factors to foster an environment that reduces the like...
Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer's disease is vital, especially for early detection and diagnosis. Frequently, family members are the first to notice these signs, but initiating a conversation about scheduling a doctor's appointment can be daunting. Overcoming resistance or denial can further complicate the situation post-diagnosis, leaving both the individual and their family uncertain about the next steps. This podcast episode addresses the challenges surrounding Alzheimer's diagnos...
Access to proper nutrition can be a challenge for older adults due to a variety of factors. Compounding this issue is the fact that older adults are also at risk for isolation and loneliness. In this podcast episode, we tackle the pressing issues of loneliness and food insecurity in the older adult population. Learn how reaching out and fostering connections can have a significant impact on elders’ well-being. Discover actionable strategies to address these challenges, promote a sense of comm...
As dedicated professionals in the field working with older adults, it's crucial to discern and address ethical challenges as they surface, which can prove challenging. Various factors can make older adults vulnerable to abuse, neglect and ill intent, and ethical issues emerge in several areas: complex family dynamics, end-of-life wishes, preserving dignity and respect, promoting independence, and keeping the individual safe. This podcast episode will delve into these issues, and listeners wil...
Home is where many older adults wish to age. However, many homes are not set up as age-friendly environments. Aging in place at home can result in accidents and falls—more than one in four older adults falls each year. Listen to this podcast to learn more about key aspects of aging in place, emphasizing the significance of home safety and fall-prevention measures. Learn more about empowering older adults to maintain their independence safely and confidently within the comfort of their homes.
While our brain plays a crucial role as the command center of our body, it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. As we age, the risk of cognitive impairment increases, but here's the good news—research indicates there is plenty we can do proactively to keep our brains sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Listen to this episode to learn more about proactive strategies for maintaining optimal brain health.
As we age, there are important legal documents we should all have in place. This is particularly true for older adults. However, people often wait until a crisis to make legal decisions, which for some may be too late. While planning ahead for a person’s legal needs is ideal, it can be challenging to understand which legal documents are needed and where to begin. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the legal needs of aging and the importance of proactive planning.
Anyone working in healthcare today knows the importance of reducing hospital or rehabilitation facility readmissions. Older adults are at risk for readmissions if they lack proper support at home. The days following the transition back to the home can be crucial to keeping the older adult safe. However, older adults and their families may not be prepared for all that is involved in the person’s care as they adjust to their old environment. Listen to this episode to learn how support and help ...
Interest in intimacy exists throughout the lifespan and should be supported in later life. This topic is often controversial and misunderstood in society and therefore, professionals and families can be reluctant to openly discuss. It is important to acknowledge that emotional and physical intimacy are forms of showing love and caring, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Listen to learn more about romantic relationships, sexual desires and intimacy needs of older adults. Also learn ab...
The topic of driving is often one that involves a lot of emotions. For many, driving equates to independence and the freedom to go when and where you want. As a person ages, it can be helpful to openly communicate about driving abilities and safety, rather than doing so due to a crisis such as a crash or a “close call.” Families often turn to professionals for guidance and insights on how to talk about driving and the best approach to taking away the keys. Listen to this podcast to learn abou...
Among the tens of millions of family caregivers, about 12% of them are caring for an ill or disabled spouse or partner. Elements of caring for a spouse or partner differ from other types of caregiving relationships. On average, spousal caregivers provide more hours of caregiving, do more intense care-related tasks and do it all with less assistance compared to other types of caregivers. Professionals who understand the nuances of spousal caregiving can be better positioned to help these indiv...
Grief can take many forms and people tend to deal with grief in different ways. Grief is typically thought of in the context of the death of a friend or loved one. However, people can grieve in other ways such as the loss of independence or during a major life transition. Another form of grief called ambiguous loss, is loss without closure. This commonly occurs in those caring for a loved one living with dementia. They feel as if they are watching the person they once knew change or “slip awa...
The highest healthcare spending years of our lives happen after age 65. While older adults are high-volume healthcare users, unfortunately, ageism is evident in healthcare practices today. Ageism can show up in subtle ways such as talking to an adult daughter instead of the older adult in the examination room, brushing off an older patient’s complaint as part of the normal aging process, or in more significant ways such as assuming a treatment plan based on a person’s age. Healthcare provider...
Ageism is ingrained in our society and culture whether we like to admit it or not. The way older adults are referenced and depicted in the media, popular culture and even in the health and beauty industries helps to paint a picture that aging is something to dread and make light of. These depictions also help to reinforce negative mindsets and stereotypes about growing older. As professionals, we need to be aware of how ageism impacts our work with the older adults we serve and recognize oppo...
While the most common form of dementia among all age groups is Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) is most common in those diagnosed before age 60 and can occur as early as age 21 and as late as age 80. FTD differs from other types of dementia in that memory loss is not a hallmark symptom. A group of related, heterogeneous disorders, initial symptoms bring progressive changes to personality, behavior, decision-making, communication or movement. In this podcast, the Associat...
Untreated mental health disorders at any age can have negative impacts, but particularly for older adults, it can lead to social isolation, placement in long-term care facilities, and even suicide. There are also a variety of factors that can impact an older adults’ emotional health such as major life transitions and loss of independence. Professionals in the aging sector play a vital role in helping older clients and families to recognize signs that an individual is in need of mental and emo...