Aging Starts Now

Will Medicaid take everything you own? Does giving away money automatically disqualify you from benefits? And is it too late to protect your assets if you or a loved one is already in a nursing home? When it comes to Medicaid and paying for long-term care, misinformation can lead to costly mistakes. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Johnson McGinnis Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down...

Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice, but many families still have questions about the process, costs, and what happens to their loved one's remains. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin welcomes Tammy Friedman, owner and Family Care Coordinator with Choice Cremation, to answer some of the most common—and sometimes uncomfort...

What happens when the retirement you imagined suddenly looks nothing like the life you’re living? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis talks with Susan Haig, author of Life Like a Sunflower, about resilience, self-advocacy and finding joy after two life-changing health diagnoses. Just two years into retirement, Susan suffered a “widowmaker” heart attac...

Medicare Open Enrollment is here—but even if you’re happy with your current coverage, should you still take a closer look? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel talks with Johnson McGinnis Medicare Specialist Tyler McCullar about what you need to know during Medicare Open Enrollment. They discuss the difference between enrollment periods, what changes you can make, why it’s impo...

When a parent needs nursing home care, one of the first questions families often ask is: “Are we going to have to sell Mom’s house to pay for care?” The answer may not be as simple—or as frightening—as you think. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel talks with attorney Josh Hunter of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning about how Tennessee Medicaid...

When you hear the word “trust,” do you immediately think of wealthy families and large inheritances? Trusts can actually be useful estate planning tools for many different people and situations. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel talks with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning attorney Josh Hunter about what a trust is, how it works, and how to de...

Finding the right resources and support can be overwhelming for families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Sumner County Special Needs Collaborative is working to make that journey easier by connecting families with information, resources and one another. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Pati Bedwell, Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care La...

Finding a place to belong can make all the difference. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Erin Keogh- Rankin, Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, welcomes Susie Turner, Director of Special Needs at First Baptist Hendersonville, for a conversation about creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences...

Losing a loved one is difficult enough. Figuring out what needs to happen next can make an already overwhelming time even harder. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel, Outreach Coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with attorney Josh Hunter to discuss the practical steps families should take after a loved one passes away. From what to prior...

Probate can be confusing—especially when a family is already dealing with the loss of a loved one. What actually goes through probate? Who pays the bills? What happens to debts? And what should a family do first? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning attorney Ryan Hicks to answer some of the most comm...

Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also feel incredibly isolating. When the responsibility of caring for someone you love becomes overwhelming, where can you turn to connect with someone who truly understands? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Henschel talks with Tim Otis, founder of Empaira, an emotional support network created to help caregivers connect with other caregivers in...

Are your passwords protecting you—or putting you at risk? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Jim Hughes of Senior Risk Solutions to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of personal safety: password security. Older adults are increasingly targeted by online scams, identity theft, and financial fraud. Jim explains why using the same password...

Whether you're downsizing, relocating closer to family, building a mother-in-law suite, or wondering if paying cash is really the best option, this episode is packed with practical advice for older adults and their families. Host Chris Johnson, Attorney and Partner at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, is joined by Anna Cook, Originating Branch Manager with CrossCountry Mortgage, t...

Can charitable giving be part of a smart estate plan? Absolutely. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Janel Heflin, Elder Care Coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, welcomes Cathy Sheffield, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships with The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, to discuss the many benefits of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs). You'll learn: What a Dono...

Suicide among older adults is a difficult topic—but it's one we cannot afford to ignore. Many older adults face challenges such as grief, chronic illness, isolation, and depression, yet the warning signs are often misunderstood or overlooked. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin speaks with Fiona Hoehn, Mental Health Training Coordinator for Mental Health A...

Most older adults want to remain in the homes they love—but aging in place requires more than simply staying put. A safe, well-maintained home is essential for preserving independence and preventing costly accidents. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin sits down with Mark Hill, President of Tandem Handyman Services, to discuss how proactive home maintenanc...

Talking with aging parents about memory loss, driving, medications, accepting help, or future care plans can be one of the most difficult challenges families face. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel sits down with Elder Care Coordinator Pati Bedwell to discuss how families can approach these sensitive conversations with compassion, respect, and confidence. Pati shares practic...

What does it take to stay active, strong, and independent as we age? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with Dr. Shelby Blankenship, founder of Southern Grit PT and Wellness, to discuss the critical role that strength, balance, mobility, and functional movement play in healthy aging. Many people think physical therapy is only for recovering from inju...

Most people have questions about estate planning and elder law—but some questions feel too awkward, uncomfortable, or even embarrassing to ask out loud. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel sits down with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning associate attorney Josh Hunter to tackle the questions people often save for private consultations or ask only after everyone...

Hospice care is one of the most misunderstood healthcare services, yet it can provide invaluable support for patients and families during some of life's most challenging moments. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Dana Hentschel, Outreach Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with Erin Keogh Rankin, Elder Care Coordinator and End-of-Life Doula, to exp...

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is one of the most common forms of dementia, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed conditions affecting older adults. In this episode of Aging Starts Now, host Janel Heflin, Elder Care Coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning, sits down with Jennifer Kim, Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nu...

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, attorney and certified elder law attorney Barbara McGinnis sits down with author Charles Wallace to discuss the realities of caregiving and the deeply personal journey that inspired his book, The Caregiver’s Game.

When someone you love clearly needs help—but refuses it—what can families actually do? In this episode of Aging Starts Now, outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel sits down with attorney Barbara McGinnis and elder care coordinator Erin Keogh Rankin to unpack one of the most emotionally complex challenges families face: balancing independence, safety, and legal responsibility when an aging loved one r...

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Erin Keogh-Rankin sits down with Occupational Therapist Beth Bedore to discuss one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of dementia care: the home environment. For individuals living with dementia, the home can either support safety, independence, and comfort… or unintentionally create confusion and risk. Beth shares pra...

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, attorney and partner Chris Johnson sits down with Carroll Golden, Executive Director of the Knowledge Centers at NAIFA, to unpack a topic that often flies under the radar—but has a profound impact on every family’s financial future. From retirement planning to long-term care and legacy decisions, many of the rules that shape your options are influenced by polic...