Solutions When You Can No Longer Drive with LaShay Dupree
LaShay is the owner of Impaq Transportation and Community Services as well as a Licensed Social Worker with over 14 years of experience in medical social work. In this episode, she discusses what motivated her to start a transportation company, the challenges from an elder person’s perspective, challenges for children and caregivers, the biggest myths associated with transportation services, what services she provides, and other resources she recommends for transportation services!
Contact LaShay Dupree:
Website- ImpaqServices.org
Phone- (888) 876-7778
Unique Ways to Keep Seniors Active with Edward Craft
Edward has a passion for bringing purpose to those living in care facilities, especially those living with dementia. A few of Edward’s achievements include receiving the Argentum Hero Award, the Texas Assisted Living Hero Award, and being featured in Senior Living Executive Magazine. Edward has worked tirelessly to promote the amazing contributions of the residents he serves, such as creating “Al Edwards Day” with Houston’s City Council, partnering with local animal shelters to foster animals in his senior communities, and he has recently started a card campaign, which reached The Ellen DeGeneres Show and was featured on ABC 13. Edward is a proud council member of the Elder Service Providers’ Network, an advisor for Great Age Movement, educator for Eldergrow, and is the founder of Dementia Friendly Houston.
In this episode, Edward discusses Eldergrow and how he helps this organization, how seniors living at home can enjoy the benefits from Eldergrow, the Great Age Movement and how Houston seniors can participate, examples of creative senior activities, and the importance of keeping seniors active!
Contact Edward Craft:
Email- ECraft0921@gmail.com
Phone- (832) 341-2882
How to Know When It’s Time for a Move to Memory Care with Teepa Snow
Teepa Snow is one of the world’s leading advocates and educators for those living with dementia or other forms of brain change. She founded Positive Approach to Care in 2006 and collaborates to improve dementia care in over 30 countries worldwide. She developed the GEMS® State Model for understanding the progression of dementia and changes in abilities. She also developed the Positive Approach to Care® training strategies, which are effective techniques to optimize care and support for those living with brain change. Teepa and Kim discuss how to know when it is time to move a loved one into a memory care facility, whether it is better to keep your loved one at home, what to look for in a memory care facility, and helpful tips for a successful transition.
Contact Teepa Snow:
Website- TeepaSnow.com
Email- PollyL@TeepaSnow.com
Phone- (919) 280-2326
Ignite Creativity with Creative Neurology by Saba Shahid
Saba Shahid is the Chief Smiling Officer of Creative Neurology, an internationally acclaimed organization that ignites creativity to take back control of symptoms in people with Parkinson’s Disease and other movement disorders. Saba developed the Smile Through Art® program which helps patients manage their movement disorder symptoms through art, and the Let’s Combat Micrographia® program which helps patients who have lost the ability to write. Saba discusses how she helps patients live better, what micrographia is, the resources she has available for patients, and how art can impact a person living with a disability.
Contact Saba Shahid:
Website- CreativeNeurology.com
Email- LiveBetter@CreativeNeurology.com
Phone- (203) 565-9647
Parkinson’s Resources in Houston with Celeste Harris
Celeste Harris is the Director of Social Services for the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society. She discusses what Parkinson’s Disease is, when it is time to ask for help, how to support your loved one as a caregiver, why the management of Parkinson’s is so important, and how the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society can assist as a resource.
Contact Celeste Harris:
Email- Harris@HAPSOnline.org
Phone- (713) 626-7114
“Beyond Driving, with Dignity” with Jack Angel
Jack Angel is the Owner and Operator of Senior Care Authority- Southeast Texas and it is his mission to find solutions for your loved one’s transition into the next phase of life! He discusses the signs that it’s time for your aging loved one to retire from driving, how to start the conversation with mom or dad about their driving, the next steps, how to get around after driving retirement, and the Beyond Driving With Dignity Program!
Contact Jack Angel:
Website- SeniorCare-SouthEastTexas.com
Facebook- Facebook.com/CareForTexasSeniors
Pathways to Adulthood For Youth with Disabilities with Cynda Green
Cynda Green is the Texas Parent to Parent Pathways to Adulthood Transition Coordinator, providing support to parents whose children are transition age and facilitating the Pathways to Adulthood transition training across the state. She discusses the big struggles for parents whose children will transition into adulthood, how to prepare, what happens when they exit out of public school services, and how Texas Parent to Parent can help.
Contact Cynda Green:
Website- TXP2P.org
Email- Cynda.Green@TXP2P.org
Phone- (737) 484-9045
“Should Long-Term Care Facilities Be Required to Have a Back Up Generator?”
with Greg Shelley
We welcomed back Greg Shelley, Program Manager for the Harris County Long-term Care Ombudsman Program at Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health, which is provided in collaboration with the Harris County Area Agency on Aging. He discusses the winter storm situation in Texas in regards to long-term care facilities, State Representative Ed Thompson and House Bill 2325, the push-back, what compromises can be made, and where the bill currently stands.
Learn more about the Ombudsman Program: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/news_info/ombudsman/
How to become a volunteer Ombudsman: https://nursing.uth.edu/coa/ombudsman/ombuds_volunteers.htm
Opening Up Post-Pandemic From the Alzheimer’s Association with Sabrina Strawn
Sabrina Strawn is the Community Engagement Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, and she discusses the Alzheimer’s Association’s events for June: The Longest Day and the Caregiver Symposium. She also discusses access to resources, how this will change post-pandemic, and the resources that are currently available!
Sign up for the Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Conference – Living in a Hybrid World:
Learn more about The Longest Day:
Apps to Support People with Special Needs with Cristen Reat
Cristen Reat is the Co-Founder and Program Director of BridgingApps.org, which provides resources, education, and information about apps and mobile devices to help people with disabilities! She discusses why she helped to create BridgingApps, what kinds of information people can find on it, how to search for apps, the best apps for people with special needs or disabilities, and the events and trainings she offers!
Contact Cristen Reat:
Website- BridgingApps.org
@bridgingapps on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube
Creating Success For Your Child with a Disability with Mary Jane Williams
Mary Jane Williams is the Executive Director of Family to Family Network, a parent organization in the Houston area! Mary Jane believes childrens’ futures should NOT be dictated by a disability label, and the key to successful outcomes for children with disabilities lies in family knowledge. She discusses the Family to Family Network, the services that families should be aware of, how families can create success for their children, and her upcoming events!
Contact Mary Jane Williams:
Email- Info@FamilytoFamilyNetwork.org
Phone- (713) 466-6304
Website- FamilytoFamilyNetwork.org
“What Can a Senior Move Manager Do For Me?” with Gina Powell
Gina Powell is a Certified Relocation and Transitions Specialist who started Caring Transitions of Metro Houston with her husband because she wanted to make a positive impact on the senior community after her own experiences with her aging parents. She discusses what a senior move manager does, where to start when you need to downsize, the mistakes that people often make, and the other services that she offers!
Contact Gina Powell for a consultation:
Email- GinaPowell@CaringTransitions.com
Phone- (713) 966-6767
Website- CaringTransitions.com
A Special Plan For a Special Need with Nelson Negron, Jr.
As a father of two children with disabilities, Nelson’s greatest role is as an advocate for his clients as well as other families dealing with similar disabilities. Nelson and his wife created Provident Oak Financial to help families with their most pressing financial worries. In this episode, Nelson discusses retirement, medical costs, when you should start planning, and why you may need a special needs planning team.
Contact Nelson Negron, Jr.:
Website- ProvidentOakFinancial.com
Phone- (832) 836-2459
Email- Nelson@ProvidentOak.com
“The SECURE ACT – Do You Know How It Affected You?” with T. Mark Rush
Mark Rush is a Certified Public Accountant and Partner at HL&B! He discusses retirement plan beneficiary designations, how the SECURE ACT will affect the heirs of your IRA, who is required to take an RMD in 2021, and how to reduce the taxes to pay on IRA distributions!
Contact T. Mark Rush:
Email- MRush@HLB-CPA.com
Phone- (281) 617-0274
D-CARE: The Dementia Care Study with Alice Williams
Alice Williams is the Community Education Specialist for the Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB Galveston, with over 30 years of experience working with older adults and caregivers in the Galveston County area. She explains everything you need to know about the D-CARE study, its benefits, and who can enroll!
Contact Alice Williams:
Email- alwillia@utmb.edu
Phone- (409) 226-9647
Protecting Digital Assets with Betsy Ehrenberg
Betsy Ehrenberg is the CEO and Founder of Legacy Concierge, where she advises clients on a broad range of protection options for their portfolio of both digital and tangible assets! She discusses digital assets, who has them, what they are worth, who cares about them, and how to protect them during life and gift them after passing.
Contact Betsy Ehrenberg:
Website- Legacy-Concierge.com
Email- Betsy@Legacy-Concierge.com
Phone- (650) 380-0688
When to Hire an Aging Life Care Manager with Andrea Zaite
Andrea Zaite is a Social Worker, Grief Recovery Specialist, and Case Manager at A to Z Geriatric Care with over 33 years of experience as a Social Worker! She discusses Aging Life Care Professionals and what they do, how they can help you, when to hire one, and how to choose one in your area!
Contact Andrea Zaite:
Website- atozgericare.com
Email- amzaite@gmail.com
Phone- (281) 910-0930
Finding Joy with Carmalyn McCracken
Carmalyn McCracken is an adjunct professor, keynote speaker, seminar/workshop leader, Life Coach, and the Owner of You Got Joy! In this episode, she discusses how to find joy when it is difficult, how caregivers can find joy, how to practice gratitude, and how to live in the present.
Contact Carmalyn McCracken:
Email- madjacktx@sbcglobal.net
Phone- (413) 225-1985
The Five Proven Ways to Help Your Brain with Ron Nevelow
Ron Nevelow is the Co-Founder, Clinical Trainer, and VP of Business Development for Inspire Senior Care as well as a licensed clinical social worker and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. He discusses why it’s important to know what works to keep a healthy brain, what global research has proven, the biggest mistake seniors make in regards to brain health, what senior living communities lack in helping their residents stay brain healthy, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, and what he recommends to keep our brains active!
Contact Ron Nevelow:
Website- InspireSeniorCare.com
Phone- (214) 563-2126
When You Need Professional Dementia Guidance with Brenden Shannon
Brenden Shannon is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and the Founder of Complete Dementia Solutions! In this episode, he will be discussing his background and why he started Complete Dementia Solutions, what they provide, when it is time for dementia care, how he vets the companies he refers to, and why it’s crucial to get the right placement the first time.
Contact Brenden Shannon:
Website- CompleteDementiaSolutions.com
Email- Brenden@CompleteDementiaSolutions.com
Phone- (823) 334-9287
“Is a Small Memory Care Home Right For My Loved One?” With Nate Manthey
In this episode, Kim Hegwood is joined by Nate Manthey from Light Heart Memory Care! Nate discusses small memory care homes, how they differ from large memory care facilities, and the impact that COVID-19 has had on the industry.
Contact Nate Manthey:
Website- LightHeartMemoryCare.com
Email- Office@LightHeartMemoryCare.com
Phone- (281) 282-0770
Activity and Communication For People With Dementia With Robyn Horn
Robyn Horn is the owner of H.I.S. Cornerstone, a company that provides continuing education to nurses, social workers, and case managers for the elderly. She discusses why it’s important to develop a daily plan for a person with dementia, strategies for communicating to those with dementia, and how to anticipate the triggers to avoid common behavioral problems.
Contact Robyn Horn:
Website- HISCornerstone.com
Email- HISCornerstone@gmail.com
Balancing Life, Work, and Caring for Dementia With Qiana James
Kim Hegwood is joined by Qiana James, founder of Friendly Faces Senior Care! Qiana discusses how to be a working professional while caring for a loved one with dementia, how to avoid caregiver burnout, and how to know when it is time to seek professional help.
Contact Qiana James:
Website- FriendlyFaces.com
Phone- (281) 302-4138
Tips For Managing the Guilt That Often Comes With Caregiving With Laura Wayman
The Dementia Whisperer Laura Wayman joined us again for more helpful caregiving tips! She discusses how to manage the guilt that may come with caregiving, such as when others are doing a better job, how to deal with negative feelings, and what to do when you want time for yourself.
Contact Laura Wayman:
Website- LauraWayman.com
Phone- (916) 792-7512
3 Different Types of Grief and Coping During This Pandemic with Leslie Marchand
Leslie Marchand is a Social Worker and Bereavement Counselor at Silverado Hospice of North Houston and the founder of SoYoCo Wellness. She discusses the 3 forms of grief, how to cope with the death of a friend or family member, ambiguous loss, and how the pandemic is changing the way we grieve.
Contact Leslie Marchand:
Silverado Hospice – silveradohospice.com
SoYoCo Wellness – SoYoCo.org
Simple Time Habits to Get More Out of Your Day with Marla Regan
Marla Regan, owner of Organized Time, specializes in helping people with their mental and physical clutter. In this episode, she discusses time habits, why they are important, advice for caregivers who feel they have little time, and her #1 piece of advice to help caregivers manage their time.
Contact Marla Regan:
Website- OrganizedTime.com
Email- MarlaR@OrganizedTime.com
Phone- (281) 682-0127
For This I am Grateful, Living with Dementia with Christine Thelker
Christine Thelker, author of “For This I am Grateful,” has been living on her own with dementia since she was diagnosed at the age of 55. Christine discusses how long it took to develop her Attitude of Gratitude, the DIA, what she wants medical professionals to know, and why she decided to write her book.
Christine Thelker’s Book:
How Fitness Leads to Independence and Healthy Aging with Jake Trione
Jake Trione is the Co-Founder and Owner of TriFitness Gym, a small personal coaching gym for individuals 50+. Jake discusses how the fitness industry has failed us, why functional fitness matters, what it takes to stay healthy and independent over the years, how to best maintain a fitness routine, and how to exercise with injuries, surgeries, disease, etc.
Contact Jake Trione:
Email- info@trifitness.com
Phone- (281) 786-1189
Free “Fitness After 50” Guide- https://www.trifitnessgym.com/nd-fitness-after-fifty/
Food After 50: Adjusting Your Eating Habits as You Age with Shonah Jefferson
As the Executive Chef and Owner of Chefs For Seniors – North Houston, Shonah and her team help those who need assistance with preparing nutritious meals, whether they are no longer able to cook, they have dietary restrictions, or they just returned home from the hospital. Shonah discusses the connection between nutrition and aging, how the lack of access to healthy foods prevents seniors from aging in place, how seniors can improve their health with healthier food choices, and the healthy eating plans for seniors!
Contact Shonah Jefferson:
Email- shonah@chefsforseniors.com
Website- chefsforseniors.com/north-houston
Phone- (832) 956-1848
Mental Health Challenges and Solutions During This Pandemic with Lisa Milliken
Lisa Milliken, MA, CCC, FNAP, CDP has served in many healthcare roles and is most passionate about mentoring healthcare professionals across the country. She discusses some of the triggers during the pandemic that further presents challenges for our mental health and well-being, who is at greater risk for negative impacts on mental health, some solutions to prevent the resulting mental health declines, and which strategies may work better than others!
Contact Lisa Milliken:
Phone- (346) 334-8777
When Grandma Has Dementia- How to Talk to Kids with Kathryn Harrison
Kathryn Harrison, author/illustrator of “Weeds in Nana’s Garden,” discusses what drove her to create her book, why her story is set in a garden, who helped her create her book, her second book titled “I Smile For Grandpa,” why these books are the right choice for families looking for a book about dementia and Alzheimer’s, and why it is so important to talk to kids about dementia!
Kathryn Harrison’s Books:
End of Life Care and COVID-19 Restrictions with Angela Cross
Angela Cross from Compassus Hospice discusses hospice as a service and not a place, how hospice helps during COVID-19, advanced care planning during COVID-19, and comfort, safety, and quality of life!
Contact Angela Cross:
(713) 850-8853
The Dementia Roadmap with Lizette Cloete
Lizette Cloete, Occupational Therapist and Founder of “Think Different” Dementia, discusses: why staging dementia is important, what can be done to help families get “on the same page” regarding their loved one’s stages of dementia, what a dementia roadmap is, the importance of knowing dementia progression, whether to keep your loved one home until the end of life, and whether to bring your loved one with dementia home from a facility.
Contact Lizette Cloete:
Think Different Dementia Facebook Group
Website- www.thinkdifferentdementia.com
How the Alzheimer’s Association is Continuing to Provide Services During the Pandemic with Ann Marie McDonald
Ann Marie McDonald is the Chief Program Officer of the Houston and Southeast Texas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. She discusses the resources that are available 24/7, types of caregiver support, the NEW people-centered care training for direct care workers, how the Association supports research, and US Pointer- the new risk reduction study enrolling in Houston!
Contact Ann Marie McDonald:
Website- alz.org/texas
Alzheimer’s Association Phone- (800) 272-3900
Ann Marie’s Phone- (713) 798-5452
Email- ADPrevention@bcm.edu
“Is Your Home Ready For You to Live In Forever?” with Christian Fitsch-Mouras
Christian Fitsch-Mouras, owner of Mobility 101 in Houston, discusses the differences between mobility and accessibility, what it means to age in place, how early homeowners should consider it, and where to find the services and equipment needed.
Contact Christian Fitsch-Mouras:
Phone- (832) 701-0101
Website- 101mobility.com/Houston
Becoming an Informed Caregiver with Eddie Orum
Eddie Orum is a volunteer for AARP and a caregiver for his aunt, for whom he has relied on community resources to learn how to provide respectful care for. He discusses what influenced him to become a caregiver, how he has educated himself to be an informed caregiver, his advice for current and future caregivers, and the AARP 5 important steps for caregiving.
Contact Eddie Orum:
English phone- (877) 333-5885
Spanish phone- (888) 971-2013
How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home with Jon Karuschkat
Jon Karuschkat from American Advisors Group has been in the mortgage business for many years, and has been concentrating on reverse mortgages for the past two years. In this episode, he discusses reverse mortgages, how you can use your home to age in place, how a reverse mortgage can help supplement your retirement income and whether that money can pay for in-home care, who is a good candidate for reverse mortgages, and how you can purchase a home by using one.
Contact Jon Karuschkat:
(720) 289-7484
Caregiving and the Holidays with Leah Stanley
Leah Stanley, caregiver and author of “Goodnight, Sweet: A Caregiver’s Long Goodbye,” discusses how to handle the caregiver role during the holidays, how to include your loved one with dementia, how to manage emotions regarding your loved one’s condition, the importance of embracing the “now,” and the importance of self-care for caregivers!
Follow Leah Stanley:
Website- www.LeahStanley.com
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/LStanleyBooks
Twitter- https://twitter.com/OneCareVoice
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahstanleybooks/
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/onecarevoice/
When the Holidays Reveal Your Aging Parents Need Help with Kristen Carlson
Kristen Carlson from Right at Home in Greater Galveston discusses the warning signs that your aging loved one may need assistance, tips for family caregivers during the holidays, options for respite care, and how to have the discussion about outside help with your elderly loved one.
Contact Kristen Carlson:
Phone: (409) 740-7400
“How Can We Raise Dementia Awareness in Our Communities?” with Laura Wayman
Laura Wayman, a.k.a. The Dementia Whisperer, discusses why it is important for our communities to become dementia-aware, how we can raise awareness, what successes have been seen with Laura’s mission, and how anyone can join her campaign.
Contact Laura Wayman:
CarePartners: A Free Senior Resource with Daryan Jones
CarePartners is a nonprofit, volunteer-led organization that provides support, education, and resources for caregivers and care for those living with memory loss or other challenges of aging. Daryan Jones, Caregiver Education and Digital Specialist for CarePartners, discusses the various resources and services that CarePartners offers to caregivers!
Learn more about CarePartners:
The Power of Purpose and Planned Giving with John C. Martin
John C. Martin, Director of Estate and Gift Planning for the American Cancer Society, discusses everything you need to know about identifying your purpose and how to implement planned giving into your estate plan.
Contact John Martin:
Phone- 1 (936)-697-0388
Email- john.martin@cancer.org.
Getting to Know the Long-term Care Ombudsman Program with Greg Shelley
Greg Shelley, Program Manager for the Harris County Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, discusses why nursing home residents and families need rights to visitation, how ombudsmen are visiting nursing homes again, why flu shots are strongly encouraged, and the trends in nursing home COVID-19 transmissions.
Find out more about the Ombudsman program:
Physical and Mental Health Concerns for People Over 50 with Ariel Lee
Ariel Lee is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, and the CEO of Optimize Health LLC. She discusses the top 3 physical conditions of concern over the age of 50, how to prevent and manage these conditions, how to manage mental health and wellbeing, and which health screenings are recommended at 50.
Contact Ariel Lee:
How Coaching Can Prepare for Downsizing with Liz McNeel
Liz McNeel is a Downsizing Coach, Realtor, and the Founder of the Houston Senior Living Series where she helps seniors make difficult decisions and serves as a partner during late-in-life moves. She discusses why it is so hard for people to downsize, helpful tips for someone who wants to downsize, the benefits of downsizing for older adults, and how having a coach can make the process easier.
Contact Liz McNeel:
The McNeel Group
Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan
5050 Westheimer, #200, Houston, TX 77056
Phone- (713) 826-2731
Email- lizmcneel@kw.com
Developing Caregiver Resiliency with Melissa Smith
Caregiving can often take its toll on caregivers of the elderly or those with dementia, so it is important to know how to take care of mental and physical health while building resiliency. Melissa Smith, founder and ED of the nonprofit Caregiver Wellness Retreat, discusses what the key strategies are for alienating anxiety in elders, how to focus when we have limited time, and tips to help caregivers build their resiliency muscle.
Contact Melissa Smith:
Caregiver Wellness Retreat –https://www.caregiverwellnessretreat….
How Home Health Care Can Help Keep Seniors Safe During the COVID-19 Pandemic
with Laurie Cantrell
Laurie Cantrell, Licensed Clinical Social Worker from AMed Home Health, discusses the different types of care available, how home health care has changed for seniors during the pandemic, how Medicare has changed access to care, and how home health care may be the best option for seniors during the pandemic.
Contact Laurie Cantrel:
Email- lcantrell@amedhomehealth.com
Website – https://amedhomehealth.com
Funerals- The Cost of Not Planning with Regina Wagner
Regina Wagner, from AllThings Senior Consulting, shares her knowledge about unexpected costs when planning a funeral and how to avoid paying for things you may not need. Kim and Regina also discuss what planning decisions you will need to make quickly, where the money might come from, and life insurance.
Contact Regina Wagner:
Phone- (832) 699-2245
Email- regina@allthingsseniorconsulting.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AllthingsSen…
Website – https://allthingsseniorconsulting.com/
Senior Scams During COVID-19 with Jennifer Salazar
The COVID-19 pandemic is a great opportunity for new scams to appear. Jennifer Salazar, from the Senior Medicare Patrol with the BBB, discusses which scams are being seen during COVID-19, some of the red flags to watch out for, how scammers get our information, and how to report scams. Seniors who are more isolated due to quarantine are more vulnerable to these scams, but knowing what to look out for can help prevent seniors from falling victim.
Contact Jennifer Salazar:
Phone- (713) 341-6184
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TexasSeniorM…
Website – https://www.smpresource.org/
Preparing Seniors with Dementia for a Hurricane with Dale Libby
Dale Libby, chairman and CEO of The Gathering Place in Brazoria County, has both personal and professional expertise helping seniors and caregivers navigate the challenges of dementia. They discuss the importance of remaining calm, how to make a plan, how to create an emergency kit, and how to maintain caregiver health.
Contact Dale Libby:
Phone- (979) 308-4525
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/The-Gatherin…
Website – https://gatheringplacebrazoria.org/
Life Happens Intro
Welcome to Life Happens, where Texans come to protect their legacy and prepare for the second half of life! Join your host, Attorney Kim Hegwood with Hegwood Law Group, and our weekly guest, as we navigate the challenges that emerge as Life Happens!
New episodes every Thursday at 10 a.m. on our Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, and other podcasting platforms.
