Aging Starts Now

Thinking about moving a parent into assisted living? You’re not alone — and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. On the latest episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinators Pati Bedwell and Debra King share what to expect — emotionally, practically, and financially — so you can make confident, compassionate choices.

Caring for a loved one with dementia can be overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King. LCSW is joined by Keita Cole from the Tennessee Dementia Navigator Program — a powerful (and free) resource helping families across Tennessee find the support, guidance, and services they need. 💬 In this conversation, we cover: ✔️ What the Dementia Navi...

Scammers are getting smarter — but so are we. In our latest episode, Elder Care Coordinator Debra King, LCSW of Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning sits down with Chris Ramage, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to explore Safe Senior TN, a powerful initiative helping protect older adults from online and offline threats. 🎙️ Tune in to learn: ✅ The most...

Outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel is joined by Shelly Smitherman, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, to talk about the TBI Find App—a game-changing tool for families and caregivers of vulnerable adults across Tennessee. If you care for someone with dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another cognitive condition—you need to hear this.

Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis chats with Dr. Monica Crane about one of the most challenging and misunderstood forms of dementia. Dr. Crane will discuss: 🔹 The stages of Lewy Body Dementia 🔹 How symptoms can differ from Alzheimer’s 🔹 What families can expect — and how they can cope 🎧 If you or a loved one is facing this diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Crane is a fe...

Who should you trust with your future? 🤔 Choosing the right attorney-in-fact, executor, or trustee is one of the most important — and emotional — parts of estate planning. Whether you have multiple children, no children, or a blended family, the decision isn't always clear. 🎙️ On this episode of Aging Starts Now, Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel and Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinni...

In this episode of Aging Starts Now, Elder Care Coordinator Deborah King talks with Tara Grimett from Personic Health about how advanced wound care—once limited to clinics—can now be provided in the comfort of your home. Learn who needs wound care, how referrals work, and what tools and technologies are used (like wound vacs and ultrasound mist machines). If you or a loved one is dealing with woun...

Palliative care doesn’t mean giving up. It means getting support—while continuing treatments like chemo, dialysis, or radiation. A lot of people think palliative care is the same as hospice. It’s not. Elder Care Coordinator Debra King dives into this topic with Shelby Kelley, a nurse practitioner of palliative care.

Are you or a loved one a veteran? 🪖 Do you know how to actually use the VA health care system? VA-accredited attorney Chris Johnson joins public benefits specialist Tyler McCullar to explain how the VA health system works—and how veterans can access the benefits they’ve earned. 💡 Get clarity on: ✅ Who qualifies for VA health care ✅ What services are available ✅ Common myths that hold veterans...

Have you ever heard the term "life settlement" in the context of life insurance? Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green explores alternative sources of supplemental income for seniors with Rob Haynie, owner and Managing Director of Life Insurance Settlements—one of the leading life settlement brokers in the industry.

You have gone to an attorney and created a trust and now you can mark that off your list right? The question is have you funded your trust. Certified Elder Law Attorney Barbara McGinnis along with Attorney Chris Johnson talk about an the most important step in creating a trust, which is trust funding.

Do you have a will? What happens if you pass away before creating this document? Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Attorney Josh Hunter about what happens if someone passes away and they never created an official will. Will a handwritten will work? What about verbal wishes? We discuss all of this in today's episode.

Have you thought about pre-planning your funeral? Few people do, but it can be a great relief for those left behind. Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Elder Care Coordinator Katlyn Green about making final arrangements.

Are you afraid of your mom or dad experiencing a fall with no one there to help them? Or maybe you are afraid of falling yourself. Today we are talking about technology available offering peace of mind to families with these concerns. Debra King, a licensed clinical social worker and elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law and Estate Planning speaks with David Vigerust with the E...

Do your parents need a little extra help around the house with cleaning or meals? Or maybe it is help with bathing and dressing? When you realize that help is needed, how do you go about getting that help? Pati Bedwell and Katlyn Green, elder care coordinators at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law and Estate Planning discuss where to begin in hiring the right caregiver for yourself or your loved one.

Do you or someone you love have Parkinson's disease? Elder Care Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Debra King speaks with Susan Belesi the Development Manager for the TN/KY Chapter of the Parkinson's Foundation. Learn more by visiting their website - https://www.parkinson.org/tnky

Do you have a family? If the answer is yes, then you need estate planning documents. Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel chats with Certified Elder Law attorney Barbara McGinnis about what happens when tragedy strikes and there are no legal documents in place.

Do you have long-term care insurance? Are you saving it for an emergency? Pati Bedwell an elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning speaks with senior care expert and long-term care advocate Debbie Miller about long-term care insurance and why you should use it before you lose it.

Do you know someone on dialysis? If you do, you know how time intensive it can be. Did you know that there are options to do this treatment at home? In this episode outreach coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Mary Teising, an independent consultant with over 25 years of experience in dialysis about how to navigate this journey.

If you have ever cared for an older loved one experiencing dementia, you may have heard the phrase "med management" or "geri pych," but what do those terms actually mean for you and your loved one. Debra King a licensed clinical social worker and elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning speaks with Lorie Jacobs, the Intake Coordinator at Highpoint Health Behavior...

Did you know that Social Security has an online portal? Outreach Coordinator Dana Hentschel speaks with Public Benefits Specialist Tyler McCullar about this portal, how to create an account, and why everyone (even those under 65) should have an account.

Are you caring for a loved one with dementia? Have you ever heard of the GUIDE program? Few people have. Debra King, a licensed clinical social worker and elder care coordinator at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law and Estate Planning speaks with senior care expert Debbie Miller to talk about a transformative program helping caregivers across the county - the GUIDE program. Debbie Miller is the owne...

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)? Many have never heard of these terms and those who have are often confused by them. Partner and attorney, Chris Johnson, dives into SSI and SSDI with attorney Steve Perrigo. Prior to becoming an attorney in 2010, Steve spent 17 years working for the Social Security Administration helping hundreds of individ...

The cost of living keeps rising, which can be hard on a fixed income. Elder Care Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Debra King speaks with Paula Daigle the Community Engagement Director at Age Well Middle Tennessee about RESET a financial empowerment program being offered to adults age 50 and older.

What are adult day services? Who can benefit from this service? How much does it cost? Debra King, a licensed clinical social worker and elder care coordinator with Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law speaks with Bill Zagorski, the CEO of American Senior Care Centers, Inc. about adult day services in Middle Tennessee.